Botswana Launches TANA Metro Pilot to Connect Gaborone Tertiary Institutions

GABORONE, Botswana – The Botswana Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has officially commenced the TANA Metro bus service, a pilot initiative designed to link key academic hubs within the capital city. The launch follows a high-level meeting between Minister Hon. Keoagile Atamelang and University of Botswana (UB) student leadership to address critical transport challenges facing the tertiary population.

The pilot program aims to provide reliable and safe transit for the 20,392 UB students who rely on public infrastructure for daily commutes. During this initial testing phase, the ministry is offering complimentary rides to the public to gather first-hand feedback, which will inform the final structural design and fare policy of the metro ecosystem.

Student leaders emphasized that the demand for this corridor extends far beyond the main University of Botswana campus. The proposed network services several other major institutions, including Botswana Accountancy College (BAC), Baackelo College, and the Institute of Development Management (IDM). By connecting these nodes, the government seeks to reduce transit barriers that currently hinder academic accessibility.

Minister Atamelang noted that affordable transport is a fundamental requirement for educational success. The ministry is currently reviewing a proposal for a dedicated discounted student fare structure. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that no student is left behind due to the rising costs of urban mobility.

The active routes for the pilot phase include Metsotlhabe to Tlokweng and Game City to Phakalane. This infrastructure expansion marks a strategic shift toward modernizing the public transport framework in the Greater Gaborone area.