Windhoek traffic jams 'symptom' of a bigger problem

Windhoek accounts for more than 40% of Namibia’s registered vehicles, with 182 089 vehicles currently recorded in the capital compared to 439 289 countrywide.

The figures, provided by the Roads Authority (RA) to Namibian Sun last week, highlight mounting pressure on Windhoek’s transport infrastructure as commuters continue to experience widespread congestion, particularly during peak hours.

However, the City of Windhoek says the congestion problem extends beyond the high number of vehicles on the road.

In a media statement issued last week, the municipality acknowledged commuters' frustration but cautioned against treating congestion as merely a road infrastructure problem.

"The frustrations experienced by commuters are real, and as our city continues to grow, these challenges will become increasingly evident if we do not act decisively as individuals, government and the industry," the statement read.

"It is, however, important to understand that congestion is a symptom, rather than the underlying challenge," the City added.

Windhoek, though relatively small by international standards, has become increasingly reliant on private vehicles, a model the municipality said has compounded the problem.

"No major city in the world has ever successfully built its way out of congestion simply by expanding roads or upgrading intersections."

The City pointed out that Windhoek also presents a unique challenge because vehicle ownership remains relatively low compared to other cities, with many residents relying on public transport.

In the absence of a modern mass public transport system, much of this demand is currently carried by four-door sedan taxis. "While these operators provide an essential public service, they also contribute significantly to traffic volumes and congestion, particularly during peak periods," the municipality said.

It argued that sustainable mobility requires a combination of strategic road infrastructure, efficient public transport, and safe walking and cycling facilities. Such an approach, it said, allows more people to move efficiently while using less road space than private vehicles.

Funding woes

Despite acknowledging the need for improved transport infrastructure, the City said the biggest barrier to establishing a modern public transport system remains funding.

Unlike roads, which are primarily funded through capital projects, public transport requires ongoing operational subsidies to remain affordable and reliable. "The primary reason why this has not yet been realised in Windhoek is not a lack of planning or vision, but simply funding," the City said.

It added that Namibia has not yet established a sustainable funding mechanism to support urban public transport.

Over the past year, the municipality said it has engaged with the works and transport ministry and the urban and rural development ministry to develop a funding framework for public transport.

The municipality is also updating its integrated transport master plan (ITMP), which will assess how people and goods move through Windhoek over the next 20 years. The plan includes traffic counts, travel demand forecasting and transport modelling to test different scenarios involving roads, public transport, cycling, walking infrastructure and land-use planning.

The City said preliminary findings show that congestion will worsen significantly if Windhoek continues with a "business-as-usual" approach without major improvements to public transport. "This reinforces the need to move beyond traditional road expansion towards an integrated mobility system that provides attractive alternatives to private vehicle and taxi use," it said.