23 Dec 2022

Just two days before Christmas Day, Gaborone bus rank is teeming with travellers, pushing and shoving around in a quest to secure space in buses to their destinations.

The influx, which has become a common occurrence during public  holidays, often results in shortage of  public transport hence some travellers resort to hitch hiking.

One traveller, Mercy Bok who opted for public transport said she always preferred public transport over private rides, for safety reasons.

However, she said public transport had a downside such as delays and shortage emanating from some being hired for private functions.

“Despite buses being loaded to full capacity there are still many people waiting for buses. There is need for more buses here otherwise we will not make it home on time,” Bok said frustrated.

Sefhare bound Dimpho Chere said she was trying the private rides for the first time because of convenience.

“I want to reach home early and avoid the crowded bus rank,” Chere said. Although the service providers make efforts to take passengers to their destinations, it is not simple owing to the many people travelling. 

Gemsbok Travel Tours owner Mr Tshiamo Letshwiti said in an interview that this was the busiest time for public transport service providers.

“We have started experiencing large crowds of people travelling, but we are trying to control the situation,” said Mr Letshwiti adding that many buses left the previous day as there were many people waiting to travel up north.

Letshwiti noted that they experienced the same influx yearly during this time. However, he said, in recent years people had started to opt for night travel, which Mr Letshwiti said helped to manage the crowds.
 

Borakanelo Police Station Commander, Superintendent Amos Solomon observed that the bus station was filled with many people wishing to travel home for the holidays. 

“Given the large numbers of passengers, public transport operators are forced to leave in short intervals, as such, there is going to be some gaps which will cause long delays as travellers await the next bus,” Supt Solomon said.

He urged travellers as well as bus operators to be cautions as they travel long distances. 

He also advised Batswana to have a safe and peaceful festive season, and to avoid drinking and driving to avoid road accidents.  Ends