29 Aug 2021

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has no plans to introduce rail cars for local public transport services in the near future.

This, transport and communications minister, Mr Thulagano Segokgo revealed, was because in 2016 a study on modernising public transport in the Greater Gaborone Region did not recommend the introduction of commuter train due to low patronage.

Mr Segokgo explained that running a commuter service in Palapye was currently not in the ministry’s plan because of the heavy investment involved for infrastructure and equipment and also the low patronage.

However, he said as the economy landscape improved in the future, feasibility study may be undertaken to inform decisions to be taken and could be considered if supported by the study.

The minister indicated that Botswana Railways introduced its first commuter service in March, 1993, operating between Lobatse and Gaborone, Pilane and Gaborone as well as Tonota and Francistown. “These services were suspended and eventually stopped in August 1996 due to low patronage resulting in loss making,” Mr Segokgo said.

Again, he said in April 2018, Botswana reintroduced a commuter train service between Lobatse and Gaborone to ease traffic congestion due to Boatle and Gaborone dual road construction, a service which was run on weekdays only.

He said the opening of Boatle-Gaborone dual carriage adversely affected the service, resulting in a decline in patronage and high cost of running the service, adding the service was suspended in March 2020 due to low patronage and as a result of travel restrictions due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Also, he said commuter service was run using the existing locomotives designed for freight trains and that had proven to be increasing the cost of running the service.

“It was then that Botswana Railways decided to improve the service by considering the use of Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) which are better suited for operating this service. However, at feasibility phase it was found that the costs for procuring these units were prohibitive as the average cost of a new DMU was in the margin of US$ 5 million (approx. P56 million) per train set. Based on these prices and the budgetary constraints, it proved not economical to continue with this project,” explained the minister.

Furthermore, he indicated that Botswana Railways Act dictated that it ran its services along commercial lines, adding however, passenger service served the low-income bracket and was offered as a social obligation.

“Therefore, it cannot be run profitably but as an economic enabler. It is widely acknowledged that running a passenger train is an unprofitable exercise. Most countries provide this service either through a government subsidy, concessions or through subsidy from other segments of the railway business such as freight,” he said.

The minister also told Parliament that employment opportunities for such project were expected from job creation for staff that would run the service.

Moreover, he said spin off would come from cleaning, catering and security services for the commuter train service.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi had wanted to know if there were plans to introduce rail cars (similar to Gautrain) for local public transport services and whether Botswana Railways would not benefit from providing such a service.

Mr Ramogapi also wanted to know the possible employment opportunities that could be created by such a service and whether the minister  would consider piloting such in Palapye considering its vastness and high volume of the working class and students. ENDS