Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Feature

 

For a while, overnight public transport was seemingly the preserve of those on transit to yonder states such as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Even to this day, it is not uncommon to see buses enroute to these countries stacked with luggage waiting for nightfall at the Gaborone bus rank before they embark on their journeys.

However, a new trend has emerged, confirms Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) transport officer (Inspectorate Division), Gaolaolwe Rankame.

Rankame says overnight public transport from Gaborone to areas such as Kasane and Maun is now in vogue hence a number of transport operators have seized the opportunity to meet the rising demand.

“Compared to the previous years, I can confirm that there is an increasing demand for overnight public transport to Kasane given most commuters prefer travelling at night than during the day,” reckons Rankame.

However, she says since night travel is a new development in long distance routes, only four permits have been issued.

Meanwhile, a JNG Express representative, Jones Morelle, says mid-month most of their customers are Zambians and Zimbabweans on transit to South Africa whilst Batswana travel mostly month-end to either Zambia or Zimbabwe. 

“Most of those who travel to Zambia are traders who buy second-hand clothes and other merchandise such as shoes, handbags and hair products for resale in Botswana,” notes Morelle.

Morelle says in the three months they have been operating their transport business, they noticed that most commuters prefer travelling at night because it is cooler and that it is convenient since one can do shopping during the day and make it back overnight. 

“Accommodation is, therefore, not a problem,” he observes. Also, there is less traffic and safer because of low temperatures. The only worry Morelle has is when a bus develops mechanical problems between Pandamatenga and Nata. 

“Between Pandamatenga and Nata, we travel over 200 kilometres of just forest and should one require assistance, it may take forever,” he laments.

Meanwhile, JNG Express fleet and operations officer, Modiri Rankoro, says they operate overnight after they noticed that those who knock off late were not catered for in terms of transport.

“People who knock off late were forced to hitch-hike, something that can be very dangerous. We wanted to give such people an option that is reliable and safe,” he opines.

 He says they have applied for other time slots as their aim is to provide continuous service.

Unijet Transport representative, James Jemwa, states that people prefer travelling at night because they arrive in the morning hence have all day to attend to their errands.

Jemwa who operates day services, admits that there are days when they cannot cope with the demand for overnight service hence request assistance from day operators. 

A commuter, Masego Tshekiso, says overnight transport is convenient because she is able to work during the day and travel during the night, especially towards the weekend. 

“Now I have the option not to go on leave as I can work during the week and travel on Friday night,” she adds. ENDS

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