Botswana Railways

2 Open Jobs
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1987 Founded
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12,000+ Employees
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Unknown Revenue
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$200 and More Avg. Salary

About Company

Botswana Railways (BR) is the national railway operator of Botswana, established in 1987 after the government acquired the Botswana-based sections of the National Railways of Zimbabwe. Headquartered in Mahalapye, BR plays a pivotal role in the country’s transport infrastructure, primarily focusing on freight services.

📍 Contact Information

  • Physical Address: Along A1, Mahalapye Main Road, Mowana Ward, Mahalapye, Botswana

  • Postal Address: Private Bag 0052, Mahalapye, Botswana

  • Telephone: +267 4711 375

  • Fax: +267 4711 385

  • Email: info@botrail.bw

🚆 Services Offered

  • Freight Transport: BR specializes in transporting bulk commodities such as coal, grain, and intermodal freight. The freight services are a significant contributor to the company’s revenue.

  • Dry Ports: Botswana Railways operates inland ports facilitating the movement of containerized cargo. These include:

    • Gaborone Container Terminal (GABCON)

    • Francistown Container Terminal (FRANCON)

    • Palapye Container Terminal (PALCON)

    • Sea Rail Botswana in Walvis Bay, Namibia .

  • Blue Mark: A parcel delivery service offering cost-effective overnight delivery between Lobatse and Francistown.

  • BR Properties: A subsidiary focusing on the development and management of BR’s real estate assets.

🚄 Railway Network

Botswana Railways operates a network totaling approximately 888 kilometers of Cape gauge (1,067 mm) track. The main line and its branches include:

  • Main Line: 640 km running from Ramatlabama at the South African border through Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, and Francistown to Plumtree at the Zimbabwean border.

  • Branch Lines:

    • Francistown to Sua Pan: 174.5 km

    • Palapye to Morupule Colliery: 16 km

    • Serule to Selebi-Phikwe: 56 km

The network also includes private sidings, service sidings, station yards, and crossing loops to support operations.

🚉 Passenger Services

As of now, Botswana Railways has suspended its passenger services, including the “BR Express,” due to operational challenges. Previously, the BR Express operated nightly trains between Lobatse and Francistown, with stops in Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, and Serule. A commuter service between Lobatse and Gaborone was also in place, catering to daily travelers.

🔗 Regional Connectivity

Botswana Railways maintains rail links with neighboring countries:

  • South Africa: Connection at Ramatlabama, facilitating trade and transit between the two countries.

  • Zimbabwe: Link through Francistown to Plumtree, enabling access to the Zimbabwean rail network.

There are ongoing discussions and plans to enhance regional connectivity, including proposed projects like the Mmamabula–Lephalale Railway, aiming to link Botswana’s coalfields to South Africa, and the Ponta Techobanine Railway, intended to connect Botswana to Mozambique’s deep-water port.