No repeat history - Mabeo vows

54815,Innocent Selatlhwa,php522E.tmp.jpg, | Sunday May 29, 2016 00:00

The first batch of coaches from Transnet comprised of 22 coaches which were delivered in March, quickly developed all manner of technical problems.

The glitches and subsequent public outrage led to revelations that the coaches were not all new, as part of them had been refurbished. As news spread that Transnet had on Monday handed over the balance of Botswana Railways’ (BR) order, Mabeo was quick to allay fears that there would not be a repeat of the problems that engulfed the March launch.

The 15 new coaches include five executive sleepers, six economy sitters, one power car, one buffet car and one luggage van.

The coaches feature plasma-screen TVs across all coaches, a bar, Wi-Fi, high-standard public address audio systems, ablution facilities and air conditioning.

Yesterday Mabeo said the technical glitches that spoilt the jubilant mood among Batswana in March were a thing of the past.

“We have made sure the last 15 coaches to be delivered arrive in perfect condition,” he said. “I understand they underwent tests including, stretch and fatigue to ensure that we do not suffer the embarrassment we suffered after the first batch.”

Mabeo said the new coaches will be officially launched next month.

According to South African media, the multi-million pula deal was concluded on Monday in Cape Town, with the handing over of passenger coaches which were manufactured in South Africa. Cape Town houses one of Transnet’s biggest production plants. Transnet Engineering CEO, Thamsanqa Jiyane was quoted as saying there would be no glitches with the latest batch.

“With the first batch, there were water tanks and fuel tanks and somebody made a mistake while refuelling. They mistakenly put water in the diesel tanks and as a result the power car was not working. Now on this train even the ablution works on electricity, so without electricity nothing works.”

Jiyane was quoted as saying the first batch had included carriage suspension, which was not new due to the tight six-month delivery deadline that had been agreed upon by all parties.

“Everything we do ourselves,” Jiyane said. “To make these bogies would have taken more than a year. But they last more than 100 years.”