TransNamib has announced that no passenger trains will operate during the December holiday season.
The decision marks a shift in the company’s priorities, as it focuses on cargo transportation and plans for a potential relaunch of passenger services through partnerships.
TransNamib CEO Desmond Van Jaarsveld cited the need to prioritise operational efficiency and resource allocation as key reasons for halting the usual festive season passenger services.
“But if the Minister decides to have a train to the north before Christmas, to help reduce traffic on the road and ease the financial burden, we will make a plan. But there’s nothing planned for now,” Van Jaarsveld said.
Van Jaarsveld added that the company intends to revive passenger services in 2025 through public-private partnerships (PPP). TransNamib plans to issue an expression of interest to hospitality experts, seeking innovative proposals to reinvigorate the Desert Express, a tourism-focused passenger train.
“What we will consider in the new year is issuing an expression of interest to invite hospitality experts to explore the Desert Express. It’s still functional, but it needs some refurbishment. The idea is to have a private operator, through a PPP model, lease it from us. We still have many of the Desert Express staff, such as chefs, waiters and the head of food and beverage, who were part of the service,” he explained.
The announcement comes as TransNamib intensifies efforts to expand its freight operations. Currently transporting approximately 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, the company aims to increase this figure to 4 million tonnes within the next five years.
“The passion [for passenger trains] is still there, believe me, because every time they see me, they ask when it will happen. But it’s not our core business. As I mentioned earlier, we want to be the preferred bulk transporter at the top,” Van Jaarsveld said.
The shift underscores TransNamib’s strategic focus on boosting freight capacity while exploring sustainable avenues to reintroduce passenger rail services in the future.
