BOTSWANA PASSENGER LOSSES
Posted on 22 July 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Botswana Railways (BR) has consistently made losses of about P30 million per annum on passenger services, accounting for less than 10% of the railway’s operating revenues. This was disclosed in parliament by minister of works and transport Johnnie Swartz in response to a plea for the reintroduction of passenger trains.
“Botswana Railways has put passenger train carriages and locomotives up for sale in order to unlock tied revenue,” the minister said. However, the coaches were in an unsafe condition and not suitable for public service. “The coaches were long overdue for overhaul, which was meant to address issues arising out of wear and tear and the replacement of safety-critical components to ensure that the coaches were in good running order,” the minister explained. He said his ministry is not in a position to say whether passenger service would be re-introduced in the future.
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