11 Sep 2013

While many Batswana eagerly await the return of the passenger train, the same cannot be said when it comes to small scale goods transporters who ply trade at the Francistown/Ramokgwebana border.

In an interview, a 22 year-old Mr Gerald Chiwangwani of Zimbabwe said the return of the passenger train was a bitter pill to swallow. Not only will the return of this popular mode of transport affect his business, it also had potential to make him close shop completely.

“If the train is reintroduced, that will be the end of my business as my customers will switch to it,” he said. However, while he will lose his customers, he believed that it will help them as it was safe, reliable and cheapest mode of transport. 

Another equally worried small scale goods transporter, Mr Nxobe Kholisani said his business, which has been facing a great challenge from other transporters, will surely collapse. He said when he first joined the transport business he ferried people from Francistown to Bulawayo. 

He eventually quit because most of his profits were spent on petrol and maintenance costs. He then opted to try his luck in the small scale goods transport, which seemed to be making profit as he used his trucks and trailers.  The return of the passenger train will simply mean he would have to think of a different business, he said.

A Zimbabwean, Mr Mudau John said he was happy at the development.  A passenger train, he said, had a number of advantages over trucks and buses. For starters, train fares were low and it was a safer mode of transport. Mr John said accidents were rampant among buses and happened mostly when the buses were overloaded. 

Mr John added that if the train was reintroduced, it should maintain the same standards that were there before, which comprised first class and economy class so everyone could afford it.  A local, Mr Goitseone Hubona was also eager for the return of the passenger train as it would help in reducing the ever escalating transport costs. 

He noted that trains in Botswana had zero casualty rates during accidents.  Furthermore the number of accidents on the road would likely reduce, he said. Mr Hubona suggested more comfortable seats, a vending machine so customers could buy food, drinks and other refreshments as part of the train package. 

He said no alcohol should be tolerated on board as it led to fights and disturbed other passengers.He also said the train security would have to be top notch and adequate to deal with growing and sophisticated crime.ENDS