More alternatives of going to the North

People travelling to the North from Windhoek now have the choice of going by train. In August, TransNamib, the state-run transport company introduced a passenger rail service to Ondangwa. The service known as the Omugulugwombashe Star is now becoming a choice of many travellers going to the former Owamboland, according to information obtained by the Economist. But when local weekend commuters were asked how they experienced the train ride, the general opinion is that the train trip is very long - 16 hours by rail as opposed to about 8 hours by road. The train service started after the recent partial completion of the Tsumeb-Oshikango railway line.
According to TransNamib, hundreds of people are using the service on a weekly basis. The service started in August this year although TransNamib is yet to start transporting bulk cargo on the service.

One of the advantages of the railway line is that it will lessen the cargo transported by road and thereby increase the lifespan of the road network in northern Namibia, said TransNamib. During a colourful ceremony, President Hifikepunye Pohamba inaugurated the main station, King Nehale lya Mpingana, at Ondangwa. According to Trans Namib, Omugulugwombashe Star has the capacity to carry 128 passengers per trip, with 32 seats in business class and 96 in economy class. During the recent school holiday, the train was fully booked with school children travelling to and from the north. The Omugulugwombashe Star leaves Windhoek at 17h30 on Fridays and arrives in Ondangwa at 10h00 on Saturdays. It makes the return trip from Ondangwa at 13h00 on Sundays to arrive in Windhoek on Mondays at 05h20.