Justicia Shipena
Urban and rural development deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele has called for a new central bus station and discussions on commuter trains as part of efforts to ease Windhoek’s public transport challenges.
!Nawases-Taeyele said the proposals are necessary to improve accessibility and reduce congestion.
She spoke after joining residents on Wednesday for a “Commuter Ride Experience”, where leaders spent the morning using public transport under the theme “Leadership in Motion”.
“We woke up early, stood at the bus stop, felt the waiting times, experienced the pace of traffic, and shared a seat on the bus just as thousands of Namibians do daily,” !Nawases-Taeyele said.
She stressed that public transport is a necessity, not a privilege.
“Behind every bus stop and every route, there are stories of mothers going to work, children travelling to school, and families striving for a better life. Public transport must be affordable, reliable, safe, and accessible.”
She called for stronger collaboration between central government, local authorities, and transport agencies.
She said better planning, investment in infrastructure, and future-orientated projects such as commuter trains should be on the agenda.
!Nawases-Taeyele urged decision-makers to act on the lessons of the ride.
“Public transport is not a privilege; it is a right and a necessity. By building systems that work for the commuter, we build systems that work for the economy, the environment, and the dignity of our people.”
City of Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja said the ride was a reminder of the struggles residents face daily.
“We stood at the bus stop, we joined the queue, we sat on the bus, and we travelled through the same congestion that thousands face every single day. What we experienced was more than just a ride. It was a lesson in humility,” she said.
Larandja pointed to congestion, long waiting times, overcrowded stations, and the absence of modern interchanges as the main problems.
She said these challenges also provide opportunities for cooperation with the Roads Authority, the Road Fund Administration (RFA), and the ministry of works and transport.
“We are determined to invest in expanded and reliable bus routes that reach more communities, as well as modern systems such as cashless ticketing and real-time passenger information,” Larandja said.
Larandja and !Nawases-Taeyele stressed that public transport is critical to economic growth and social inclusion.
“If it fails, our economy slows, our children arrive late to school, and our workers lose productivity. But when it works, it connects people to opportunity, builds confidence in the city, and contributes to growth and sustainability,” Larandja said.
Caption
Government and City of Windhoek officials joined residents on a morning bus ride on Wednesday as part of a commuter experience initiative, aimed at understanding the daily struggles of public transport users in the capital.
- Photo: City of Windhoek
