Remaining 15 coaches released to BR

The engineering unit of South African state owned freight logistics group Transnet, Transnet Engineering (TE) has finally released the remaining batch of coaches to Botswana Railways.

After almost two months delay the 15 remaining coaches were released last week Monday. Minister of Transport and Communications, Tshenolo Mabeo confirmed this to The Midweek Sun. Mabeo said the coaches are currently undergoing various tests before they could be brought to Botswana. “They are currently undergoing various tests like mechanics before they could be handed to us.

It is a normal procedure that has to be followed. We want this to be thoroughly done so as to avert situations we experienced with the first batch of 22 coaches. Even though what we experienced had only to do with oil being mixed with water in the power car and was rectified, we do not want to leave room for any mistakes,” said the minister. Mabeo said the anticipation is to have the coaches reaching Botswana before end of this month.

The remaining 15 coaches include five executive sleeps, six economy seaters, one power car, one buffet car and one luggage van. The fare for first class (executive) between Gaborone and Francistown would be P244.00. Business class Gaborone- Francistown is P146.00 while for the same distance under the Standard class it costs P88. 00.

According to Transnet Engineering (TE) website, the company designed, manufactured, tested and commissioned all the components and subcomponents of the Botswana Railways coaches, except for the side frame component of the body which was refurbished before assembly.It further states that these passenger trains were the first to be designed, manufactured, tested and commissioned in South Africa by a South African company, for African conditions.

“Among the many innovations included on TE’s new passenger coaches were double-glazed windows, roof-mounted air conditioners and a power car that could be coupled with any part of the train. This marked the first time in the history of TE that this type of feat had been achieved in such a short time, with significant benefits for both the client and the paying passengers,” says the company.