Africa-Press – Namibia. TRAVELERS to and from the far northern regions are now free to choose whether to take a bus or book a passenger train after TransNamib re-introduced this much-needed service recently.
A passenger train is once again running regularly between Windhoek and Ondangwa. This service was introduced years ago immediately after the commissioning of the Tsumeb-Ondangwa railway line, but was discontinued during the intervening years.
According to TransNamib officials, the passenger train linked Windhoek to Ondangwa earlier this month and will depart Windhoek again on 6 January and depart Ondangwa two days later.
Informanté conversed with a few Windhoekers who are currently with their relatives and friends in the north for the festive season.
Windhoek truck driver Festus Hango (44) who is attending his cousin’s wedding at Endola in the Ohangwena Region, said that he will consider travelling by train back to Windhoek in early January.
“A passenger train is good news, mostly this time of the year when all busses in Namibia appear to be too few for the massive number of holidaymakers,” he said.
Hilma Simeon, also a Windhoek resident who is in the north for the duration of the festive season, said she never travelled by train but will try this time, not only because she wants to save money, but mostly out of curiosity.
A train is relatively cheaper and safer, but slower when compared to a bus.
Travellers pay N$280 for a train from Windhoek to Ondangwa, compared to the bus fare of N$350 for the same distance.
Abner Alwoodhi, a long distance bus owner, said that the introduction of a passenger train did not and will not affect them [bus owners].
“In fact, it helps us solve a serious transport problem. We too are angered whenever we see travellers stranded because of inadequate means of transportation,” he said.
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