Good News for Nairobi Residents as Commuter Trains Resume

Commuters scramble to board a train at Mutindwa terminal in Umoja, Nairobi in this photo taken on November 5, 2018 .
Commuters scramble to board a train at Mutindwa terminal in Umoja, Nairobi in this photo taken on November 5, 2018 .
Daily Nation

Nairobi residents who depend on the train to get to and from work can now rest easy after Kenyan Railways on June 13, announced the resumption of normal scheduled train services in the city.

In a statement on local publications and on their verified social media pages the parastatal stated that the commuter trains would resume to normal schedule. 

"Kenya Railways wishes to inform all our customers that effective Monday, June 15, 2020, all commuter trains will revert to the normal schedule," the agency's Managing Director Philip Mainga stated.

The resumption of normally scheduled services came about after the revision of the daily national curfew hours from 7:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.

As per the schedule, morning commuter trains will serve the towns of Kikuyu, Ruiru, Syokimau, Embakasi, Nairobi and Kahawa with the earliest pick up at 6 a.m.

The new operational schedule for commuter trains within Nairobi county.
The new operational schedule for commuter trains within Nairobi county.

Evening commuter trains will be destined for Kikuyu, Ruiru, Syokimau and Embakasi with the latest departing at 6:05 p.m.

However, passenger trains on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Mombasa to Nairobi are still suspended in conformity with the directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta prohibiting movement in and out of Nairobi and Mombasa counties.

"The two Madaraka Express trains that operated daily at 10.30 am between Nairobi and Mombasa have been withdrawn forthwith," Mainga stated in April 2020.

Standard gauge and Meter gauge railway freight services were however not affected by the directive and continued uninterrupted and according to the 24-hour schedule.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 30, released new guidelines to govern public gatherings as countries began reopening their economies.

In the transport sector, matatus were directed to carry a reduced number of passengers with an aim at reducing congestion in public service vehicles.

"14-seater matatus will carry a maximum of eight passengers; 25-seater vehicles a maximum of 15 passengers, 30 seater vehicles and above to maintain a sixty per cent maximum of sitting capacity," Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated in March, 2020.

He further informed that the new guidelines issued would similarly extend to the SGR and commuter trains plying through the county every single day.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Addressing the media at a press briefing, May 2020.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Addressing the media at a press briefing, May 2020.
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