Passengers fuming over train delays

COMPLAINTS over the unreliability of TransNamib’s train service continue in the new year, with a number of train delays being reported over the festive season.

The latest incident was reported yesterday, when a train that travelled from Walvis Bay to Windhoek, which was due to arrive at its destination at 07h00, only made it into the capital city after 14h00.
Disgruntled passengers who spoke to 2 said the train departed more than two hours behind schedule and was left standing between Swakopmund and Usakos after finally getting under way.
The scheduled time for the train’s departure was 19h00.
According to passengers, they had taken their seats on time but had to wait until around 21h30 for the train to finally start moving.
‘This is the last time I do this to myself,’ said one passenger, who had returned to Windhoek for school.
‘We were telling them that we want to be refunded, but they didn’t even answer us. There’s no water on board and they expect you to just sit there with your children,’ another woman said.
Yesterday’s incident was only the latest in a series of complaints received from TransNamib customers, especially those who travelled between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, and between Windhoek and Walvis Bay, over the holiday period.
TransNamib spokesperson Ailly Hangula-Paulino promised a response from the company by today.