the state of public transport in Botswana

2012 is around the corner and most people do not realise we are in a recession due to the Eurozone crisis, banks are still rolling out loans. However the point of the blog is not the recession but the sad state of our public transport. The point in discussion is the combis. I feel the way our local public systems is structured is not very effective. As much as they transport us, at a fraction of cost to fueling your car, and cover most destinations there are a  lot of shortcomings.

Dont get me wrong I fully appreciate the service they provide. The service is now a business as composed to service. The reason why is a service is because the drivers don't mind parking for full 15 minutes looking for passengers in regions not designated as 'ranks'. This disgruntles a lot of passengers and a lot more who are usually in a rush. As a result a row usually erupts between the drivers, the conductor and the passengers.Which brings me to point number two: The behaviour of the driver. This is quite questionable in most instances. if passengers complain about the passenger soliciting, they are told that they are not responsible for fuelling the combi, or paying the driver wages even worse they are disrespecting the 'office'. (Office in this instance the combi and the conductor seat --- yeah, I know). What they fail to realise is, the passenger IS the one paying for all of this through their fare.

I for one experienced such behavior one  time next to the Tlokweng traffic lights (intersection of Khama crescent + Kaunda Road). The combi cut in front of me and I yelled at him for such reckless driving. His response was 'Tsela e ke yame o a utwa monna!' (I own this road, you hear me?!). Such is really uncalled for and grossly irresponsible for someone who has his Passenger Transport Permit. Sometimes people make the mistake of getting into the wrong combi route. The wrath from the combi operators will be more than hell itself as if the poor passenger did so deliberately. Or if you did not bring loose change...! Shuu! You will be told that you are crazy and playing games.

I agree the brunt of the fuel costs has dug a hole in our pockets. The margin from the combi takings therefore is judiciously low. On that point it does not justify the sorry state of the road worthiness standard of the combis. From creaking suspension, to under-inflated tyres, to chairs crammed into a tiny space to pack passengers and squeeze the last thebe out of them , to billowing dark smoke from unserviced engines --- the list inexhaustible. I wonder if the Department of Road Transport & Safety does its job of thoroughly assessing the combis before they are allowed into the roads.

There is a lot to be said and it can be 50 page of blogging but the following need to be taken into consideration to assess the service offered by our public transport -- the combis:

• issue of driver behaviour, psychology, we dont want deranged characters transporting our nation
• road worthiness of the combis (minivans)
• alternative means of transport -( high speed subsidised monorail, entrepreneurs out there stand up)
• eco friendly buses (electric or gas operated efficient air-conditioned services --- NABI type)

So, there we need to innovate, implement, refine, constant improvement through out...
NB:IF YOU ARE A KEEN OBSERVER THE POST STARTS AS'2012 IS AROUND THE CORNER...' THIS IS BECAUSE I BEGAN EDITING IT LAST YEAR DECEMBER




 

Share on Google Plus

About ctd

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.