03 Feb 2020

Ntlo ya Dikgosi has approved a motion calling for the introduction of passenger train services between Serule and Selebi Phikwe.

The motion was tabled by Kgosi Kgosidialwa Moalosi of Tonota Region, who requested government to avail passenger train services to the people of nearby villages to reduce the high demand for transport, especially during public holidays.

Kgosi Moalosi argued that residents of villages in the vicinity of Serule and Selebi Phikwe were in dire need of transport, though there was an unused railway track.

He said introduction of the train would also benefit small businesses such as food vendors.

He said, as a result of congestion at bus stops, there were high incidents of crime, especially at night.

He said he had held several consultative meetings with dikgosi from those neighbouring villages and they welcomed the idea.

Kgosi Moalosi said he also approached Botswana Railways to find out if it was possible for a passenger train to be introduced on the Serule-Selebi Phikwe track, and he was assured that if government approved, the company would have no problem with introducing the route.

When commenting on the motion, Kgosi Oscar Mosielele of Moshupa Region advised Kgosi Moalosi to investigate the reasons why Botswana Railways was not using the route further.

Specially Elected member Kgosi Oatleng Setlhodi welcomed the motion but he was worried about the cost implications.

Kgosi Tshipe Tshipe of Mahalapye Region rejected the motion, noting that there were indications that the company was realising low returns from the passenger train.

He also wondered how many people would be willing to use the passenger train as a means of transport, adding that congestion of passengers did not warrant a new route.

Responding to the debates on behalf of Minister of Transport and Communications, Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Service, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila noted that Botswana Railways reinstated the passenger train in 2016 after conducting a study to determine the market for the passenger service, which revealed that low volume stops would be too costly for the passenger train and Selebi Phikwe/Serule was one of the low level stops.

He said Botswana Railways was constrained to introduce some services due to lack of financial viability and sustainability.

Mr Mzwinila said trains also operated at a high cost, adding that Botswana Railways continued to review the stop stations on a case by case basis and as a result, Tonota halt and Pilane station had been added to the list.

He said in future Botswana Railways may consider Serule to Selebi Phikwe. ENDS