Renovate our transport system

BRUCE SAM WRITES:

I am a Namibian citizen and road user from Windhoek/Karibib.

Every day, hundreds of heavy trucks from mines, farms, and Walvis Bay destroy the B1, B2, and rural roads. Accidents kill our people. Road repairs cost taxpayers billions. Yet our railway lines run empty.

The Solution: TransNamib must allow “Truck-on-Train” loading from 07:00 to 19:00, 7 days a week. Currently, loading times are too short or unpredictable. Truckers can’t plan. So they stay on the road.

Why 07:00 to 19:00 works: Safety: Fewer trucks on roads at night, fewer fatal accidents. Kids walk to school more safely.

Roads: One train = 50 trucks off the road. Our tar will last 10 years longer. Saves N$100’s of millions in repairs.

Business: Mines like Navachab Gold Mine, Lepidico, Osino Resources can move cargo cheaper and faster. Truckers save diesel plus tyres.

Jobs: More train crews, loading staff, security. TransNamib Holdings Ltd earns more revenue.

Environment: Less diesel, less dust, less noise for towns like Karibib, Okahandja, Usakos.

What we ask Government plus TransNamib: Gazette 07:00 - 19:00 loading hours at Windhoek, Okahandja, Karibib, Usakos, Walvis Bay stations within 60 days.

Publish fixed timetables so transporters can book slots like airline tickets.

Price it fairly: Truck-on-train must be cheaper than diesel by road, or no one will switch. Start with the Walvis-Windhoek corridor as a pilot. If it works, roll out to Grootfontein, Otavi, and Tsumeb.

To the Namibian people: Support this. Every truck on a train is one less truck that can kill your child. One less pothole that breaks your car.

KFC renovated Yun Plaza. Navachab built Karibib’s clinic. Now it’s TransNamib’s turn to renovate our transport system.

The railway was built for this. Use it. From 7 to 7.

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