Passenger Train To Start Operating End Of March

Good news for Batswana as they have longed for the passenger train for years now. Botswana Railways will re-introduce the passenger train service to run between in March 31st. The plan is to run a daily scheduled night services from each end, with additional services during holidays. BR is undertaking a project to procure eight locomotives, while rehabilitating its train station facilities.

The train which was scheduled to start operating end of last year will be soon resumed after it was mothballed in 1999. Part of the attractiveness of the passenger service was that its fares were relatively low, although a bit slow, travelling by train is the safest travelling mode a person can use.

As part of its recapitalization plan, Botswana Railways will buy eight locomotives. These locomotives are at procurement stage and are expected to be delivered by the end of 2016. The railway infrastructure development plays a key role not only in economic development but also in poverty alleviation as it leads to job creation and reduces income inequalities.