The government is exploring the reintroduction of passenger train services as part of broader plans to reform the transport sector. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Noah Salakae made the announcement in response to a parliamentary question from Selebi Phikwe East Member of Parliament, Kgoberego Nkawana.
Nkawana had asked whether the ministry had plans to transform the transport sector and, specifically, if it intended to reintroduce public daily rail transport between Francistown and Lobatse, as well as daily morning and afternoon commuter trains between Lobatse, Gaborone, and Pilane.
In response, Salakae said the ministry is working on a comprehensive transformation of the transport sector through legislative reforms and strategic initiatives. These include the review of key regulatory frameworks such as the Air Botswana Act, Botswana Railways Act, Civil Aviation Act, and the Public Roads Act.
“The Ministry, through Botswana Railways, intends to reintroduce passenger train services,” Salakae told Parliament. He said Botswana Railways had already identified and shortlisted three private sector partners through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to operate the passenger rail service.
A Concept Paper is currently being developed, and the ministry expects to select the most appropriate operating model by the end of the current financial year. Salakae, however, emphasized that any decision regarding specific routes, such as Francistown to Lobatse, or commuter services between Lobatse/Gaborone and Pilane/Gaborone—will depend on the outcome of the model selection and identification of a suitable operator.
“Therefore, the viability of the reintroduction of these services will be determined after selection of a suitable model for operating passenger train services and the identification of a suitable operator,” he said.
On cost and timelines, the Minister said it was premature to provide estimates until a final operating model and partner have been determined.
The reintroduction of passenger trains in Botswana has been a long-standing public request since services were suspended in 2009.
