04 Nov 2026

Botswana Bus Association and Batlokwa Taxi Association have welcomed the TANA Metrobus service, describing it as an opportunity to improve public transport while supporting existing operators.

Botswana Bus Association chairperson, Mr Tirafalo Mponang, said government intervention was necessary to address challenges in the sector, including high fares, illegal operations and long waiting times for commuters at bus stops.

He said the association had been involved in discussions with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure from the early stages of the project, including consultations on proposed routes and visits to facilities where the buses were manufactured.

“We are in agreement with TANA with open arms. We are happy with what the government has done,” he said.

Mr Mponang said the association was expected to hold a 35 per cent shareholding in the project, a stake which the minister confirmed.

“We do not necessarily view this as a government initiative because we are getting a 35 per cent shareholding, so this is also our project. We are not going to be competing with the government,” he said.

He said the five-month pilot phase would allow government and operators to identify challenges and improve the service before considering a permanent rollout.

Mr Mponang expressed hope that the project would create employment opportunities, particularly for drivers who could be absorbed into permanent and pensionable positions. However, he cautioned that TANA would not be able to employ everyone in the industry.

He added that existing buses and taxis would continue operating alongside the new service.

Meanwhile, Batlokwa Taxi Association chairperson, Mr Ezekiel Nthite, described the initiative as a potential breakthrough for taxi operators grappling with challenging business conditions.

He said rising fuel prices and competition from e-hailing services had affected the trade, while concerns about passenger safety had also influenced commuters’ transport choices.

Mr Nthite said the electric buses could reduce reliance on petrol-powered vehicles while providing commuters with an alternative means of transport on major routes.

He also highlighted the potential benefits for tourism, noting that improved public transport could make it easier for visitors to move around the city.

The TANA Metrobus project is a government initiative involving the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA). It is being implemented through Tana Holdings, a CEDA subsidiary responsible for day-to-day operations.

The pilot phase began over the weekend with 10 electric buses, although only four are currently operating on the Metsimotlhabe-Tlokweng and Game City-Phakalane routes.

Commuters are being offered free rides during the pilot phase as government assesses the service and gathers public feedback.

The initiative aims to improve accessibility and efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable urban mobility. ENDS