Rail transport in Botswana

Botswana

BR Express Train from Gaborone to Francistown
Operation
Major operators Botswana Railways
Statistics
Passenger km 888 km (552 mi) (2015)
System length
Total 888 km (552 mi)
Track gauge
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Features
No. stations 13
Map

Rail services in Botswana are provided by Botswana Railways in Botswana. Most routes in the country radiate from Gaborone. The railway network consists of 888 km, its gauge is 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) cape gauge.

Botswana is an associate member of the International Union of Railways (UIC). Botswana has the 91st railway network in the world, it is one of the busiest railways in Africa.

History

Main article: Botswana Railways

BR was created in 1987 when the government of Botswana bought out the Botswana-based sections of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).[1] NRZ had been initially operating the rail system after Botswana had gained independence. Management of the BR is supported by RITES Ltd. of India.

The opening of the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway in Zimbabwe in 1999 resulted in a major drop in the volume of freight transit and income. As a response the BR has been considering the construction of a direct line to Zambia (Zambia Railways), bypassing Zimbabwe, to regain income from transit.

Historic Rhodesia Railway car at the National Museum in Gaborone, Botswana

Freight trains

Over half of BR's freight traffic is in coal, grain and intermodal freight, and the vast majority of its profits are made in South Africa. It also ships automotive parts and assembled automobiles, sulphur, fertilizers, other chemicals, forest products and other types of commodities. Since 1987, coal has become a major commodity hauled by BR. Coal is shipped in unit trains from coal mines to nearby countries.[citation needed]

Passenger trains

The new comfortable chairs of BR Express

The train was the primary mode of long-distance transport in Botswana until 2009. It also custom-built many of its passenger cars to be able to meet the demands of the lower class. All passenger services were discontinued in 2009, with the only remaining service being an international link to Zimbabwe from Francistown. Freight trains still operate. Passenger service was expected to resume in late 2015.[1] Passenger services were later re-introduced in March 2016.[1] Botswana Railways run two nightly passenger trains, one from Lobatse to Francistown, and the other from Francistown to Lobatse, with stops in Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, and Serule. The passenger train is termed the "BR Express" (Botswana Railways Express).

Sleeping and Dining Department

Sleeping cars were operated by BR itself. The BR decided from the very beginning that it would operate its own sleeping cars. Bigger-sized berths and more comfortable surroundings were built. Providing and operating their own cars allowed better control of the service provided as well as keeping all of the revenue received, although profit was never a direct result of providing food to passengers. Rather, it was the realisation that those who could afford to travel great distances expected such facilities and their favourable opinion would bode well to attracting others to Botswana and the BR's trains.

Locomotives

Diesel locomotives

As of March 2009

There is no direct connection with Namibia, but one does exist via South Africa, although an electrified railway connecting to Lüderitz, Namibia for coal traffic is/was scheduled to open in 2006.

In August 2010, Mozambique and Botswana signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an 1100 km railway through Zimbabwe, to carry coal from Serule in Botswana to a deep-water port at Techobanine Point in Mozambique.[2]

A new rail link between Botswana and Zambia, bypassing Zimbabwe was mooted in 2005 by Botswana Railways (BR) general manager Andrew Lunga. The line was envisaged as running south-westwards from Livingstone, crossing the Zambesi, then continuing to a junction with the existing BR tracks at Mosetse. Lunga's proposal arose following the serious loss of traffic suffered by BR following the opening of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo line, after which annual BR freight tonnage fell from 1.1m per annum to about 150,000. Zimbabwe's economic problems had worsened the situation, prejudicing free traffic flow. The suggested line, Lunga pointed out, would provide important alternative routes linking South Africa, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.[3]

Rail systems in nearby countries

The following countries mostly use 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge and are mostly connected together. Countries beyond those listed are of other gauges.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Passenger train is coming back". 9 Dec 2014.
  2. ↑ UK, DVV Media. "Pointers September 2010". Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  3. ↑ "Railways Africa".
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