Windhoek residents were given an opportunity to experience public transport for free today, as the City of Windhoek marked Public Transport Awareness Day.
The initiative formed part of Zero Emission Week and encouraged residents to consider public transport as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to private vehicles.
"For many Windhoek residents, getting around the city means getting behind the wheel. But today, the City of Windhoek encouraged the residents to leave cars behind and hop on the bus. As part of Public Transport Awareness Day, residents were able to hop on and hop off for free while getting a first-hand experience of the city's public transport service," said NBC reporter Richolene ǂOuses.
The free rides ran from 09h00 until 13h00 in the afternoon, along designated routes covering key areas of the city, including the Central Business District, Khomas Grove Mall and Grove Mall.
The initiative was aimed at raising awareness of public transport and its potential contribution to reduced congestion, lower emissions and improved air quality.
Hilda Nathnael is the City of Windhoek's Coordinator for Smart Cities and Transport.
"This week The City of Windhoek was celebrating a Zero Emissions Week, where we are just trying to give awareness and raise awareness of the importance of other sustainable modes of transport. I think a lot of residents of the City of Windhoek have noticed that there is a lot of congestion now on our roads, and we are trying to encourage the residents to start using public transport."
"And now, it's my turn to experience the service. I have swapped the driver's seat for a passenger seat, and the idea is simple: sit back, enjoy the ride and see Windhoek from a different perspective," said ǂOuses.
For us, the free service provided an opportunity to familiarise ourselves with public transport routes and consider the bus as an option for our everyday journeys.
"I brought the whole family, and I think it's very important that the future generation understands the importance of public transport and that it's not a matter of getting from point A to B only. It's a matter of reducing emissions, providing safer transport roads and reducing traffic on the road, as well as just building cleaner and stronger communities, connected communities basically, "stated passenger Rachel Amoomo.
"After a few stops, the ride comes to an end. But for the city, the journey was about more than simply offering free bus rides. It was about giving residents an opportunity to experience the service and consider whether public transport could become part of their everyday travel," expressed ǂOuses.
Another passenger, Lovisa Amoomo, adds, "Public transport is important because cars can bring pollution to the world, and the city brought buses, which can change the future."
"I hope that they get a feel that the buses are available for them to use. We also definitely want to let the residents know about where the bus would usually stop, which is information a lot of residents also didn't have. And of course on the buses we're also communicating the information of how they can get on the bus when it's not a free ride; all the residents need to get a bus pass for them to be able to get onto the bus. We're giving information also on where to get the bus pass, that you can get them from the city of Windhoek, and also how to top up your bus pass," reiterated CoW's Nathnael.
The city says encouraging greater use of public transport forms part of its broader objective of creating a more sustainable and liveable Windhoek.
For residents, however, today's experience offered a simple test: leave the car behind, get on a bus and see where the journey takes you.
"So, after hopping on, hopping off and seeing Windhoek from the passenger seat, I can say this, public transport certainly gives you a different view of the city.
Whether today's experience will encourage more residents to leave their cars at home remains to be seen. But for one morning at least, I was happy to leave the driving to someone else," concluded reporter ǂOuses.