Driver protests delay TransNamib trains

THE refusal by TransNamib drivers to work over-time, due to non-payment, has resulted in passenger trains being delayed for several hours, The Namibian has learned.

A second TransNamib train was delayed on Thursday and only arrived at its destination three hours later. Passengers on-board the train, which was travelling from Windhoek to Walvis Bay, registered their disappointment with the service.The train was scheduled to reach the coastal town at 07h00 on Thursday but only arrived at around 11h00.An irate passenger who called The Namibian on Thursday said the train was parked for more than an hour while waiting for a new driver.A number of passengers were said to have become agitated with the delay.A third train, travelling from Otjiwarongo to Walvis Bay, was also reported to have arrived several hours late on Thursday morning.The train was scheduled to arrive at 04h00 on Thursday morning but only arrived at 11h45.Last week a Windhoek-Walvis Bay train was reported to have been delayed for several hours outside Arandis after the driver had completed his 14-hour shift and did not want to continue with the journey.TransNamib’s Chief Public Relations Officer Olivia Kanyemba-Usiku yesterday declined to comment on the causes of the train delays, claiming to have been previously misquoted while speaking on the subject.Kanyemba-Usiku was earlier quoted saying that the first driver might have been tired, a statement she denies to have made.Passengers on-board the train, which was travelling from Windhoek to Walvis Bay, registered their disappointment with the service.The train was scheduled to reach the coastal town at 07h00 on Thursday but only arrived at around 11h00.An irate passenger who called The Namibian on Thursday said the train was parked for more than an hour while waiting for a new driver.A number of passengers were said to have become agitated with the delay.A third train, travelling from Otjiwarongo to Walvis Bay, was also reported to have arrived several hours late on Thursday morning.The train was scheduled to arrive at 04h00 on Thursday morning but only arrived at 11h45.Last week a Windhoek-Walvis Bay train was reported to have been delayed for several hours outside Arandis after the driver had completed his 14-hour shift and did not want to continue with the journey.TransNamib’s Chief Public Relations Officer Olivia Kanyemba-Usiku yesterday declined to comment on the causes of the train delays, claiming to have been previously misquoted while speaking on the subject.Kanyemba-Usiku was earlier quoted saying that the first driver might have been tired, a statement she denies to have made.