SGR passenger train service begins in two weeks

In a fortnight, Kenyans will start enjoying high-class commuter train services between Mombasa and Nairobi.

The government has already formed a special team to determine fares that would be competitive and friendly to ordinary Kenyans.

This was disclosed on Monday by the Principal Secretary in charge of Transport, Prof. Paul Maringa, when he received additional rolling stock and locomotives for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) at the Port of Mombasa.

“The team is looking at the costs of railway operations and is expected to come up with fares that will allow Kenyans of low income to travel in comfort,” said Prof Maringa.

The PS noted that the SGR passenger trains would operate two types of services, Inter City train and County train.

The Inter City train will make a stop at Mtito Andei while county train will make several stops at designated stations along the railway line.

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The SGR line for passengers and cargo transportation between Mombasa and Nairobi is expected to start operation next month and has generated a lot of excitement.

The high speed rail network is the biggest infrastructure project in Kenya since independence with total cost of the project standing at Ksh327 billion.

The new SGR line, which is a vision 2030 flagship project, runs through the counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita-Taveta, Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos and Nairobi.

Construction workers with the China Road and Bridge Corporation were racing to finish the new railway line within the next two weeks that ultimately aims to connect Kenya, Uganda Rwanda and South Sudan.

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