Nairobi commuters will now have more options for commuting within the city following the revamping of railway services across several estates.
The new-look Nairobi Central Railway Station and 10 stations in the Nairobi Metropolitan region will be served by modern trains, referred to as Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs).
11 DMUs were purchased by Kenya Railways with five commissioned on Tuesday, November 10 to service high-density residential areas of Ruiru, Mwiki, Embakasi Village, Athi River, Kikuyu, Kahawa, Githurai, Dandora, Pipeline, and Donholm.
The new commuter rail network will have day-long hourly train service to and from the 10 stations.
Launching the refurbished commuter rail service on Tuesday, November 10, President Uhuru Kenyatta, noted that the expanded Nairobi railway system would help curb the huge losses Kenyans face as a result of traffic congestion.
The Rail service will work in tandem with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that will connect the Nairobi Central Station with existing matatu and commuter bus termini.
To facilitate smooth traveling between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Nairobi CBD, high capacity buses will be stationed at Embakasi Village Station to provide direct transport services where commuters can catch a train to the central station.
The system is complemented with a Park and Ride feature where commuters can park their cars at the local stations before boarding the train and pick them on their way back.
Commuter Rail Project has seen the construction of new stations at Githurai, Mwiki, Embakasi village, pipeline and Donholm, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Dandora, Kahawa and Athi River Station modernised with more stations to come up in Konza, Mutindwa, Lukenya upgraded to mini stations.
The Government has so far spent Ksh6.6 billion to upgrade the commuter rail stations within the Nairobi Metropolitan Region.
The upgrade includes access roads as well as the integrated and modern ticketing system that accommodates offsite bookings.
The increased capacity in the Nairobi Commuter Rail service will serve up to 132,000 people per day which will play a huge role in easing congestion in the city.
New stations are expected to be added at Buru Buru, Pipeline,Umoja, Githurai and Donholm with plans to extend commuter rail service Thika, Limuru, and Lukenya.
Here are more photos of the Commuter Rail Service:
