Kenya Railways to Charge Ksh500 for Nairobi CBD Express Trip

Transport CS James Macharia (second left) sanitises his hands while preparing to board a train on Monday, December 7, 2020.
Transport CS James Macharia (second left) sanitises his hands while preparing to board a train on Monday, December 7, 2020.
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Kenya Railways has announced a new train service that will ease the commute between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi CBD. 

Speaking during the launch of the Nairobi Commuter Rail - JKIA Express Service, Transport CS James Macharia revealed that the trip would cost Ksh500 per trip.

The corporation further revealed that the trip entails both rail and road in which commuters would be dropped at the Embakasi Village Station before boarding a BRT service bus to JKIA.  

Workers at the Nairobi Central Railway Station in 2020
Workers at the Nairobi Central Railway Station in 2020
Kenya Railways

"The Nairobi Commuter Rail Service to JKIA journey entails a ride on the diesel multiple unit train up to Embakasi Village station. Customers will then board the BRT bus to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport," read a statement from the corporation.

This comes a day after the corporation altered the shifts of passengers plying the Nairobi-Athi River route.

The changed schedule will see the train leave Athi River at 6:20 a.m and is expected to arrive at the Nairobi Railways Station at 7:40 a.m.

The new rail system was introduced with the aim of alleviating traffic jams in Nairobi but commuters have complained of the increasingly high rates charged by the corporation.

Kenya Railways, in November, announced a flat rate of Ksh100 for the new Nairobi commuter train service.

At the time, a representative had confirmed that a committee decided on the new fares.

Kenyans, who had been accustomed to paying Ksh40 for short distances at the time, complained that the new fares were unrealistic and exploitative.

Most of the complaints lodged against Kenya Railways for their fare prices were from commuters plying Mombasa road.

Government vehicles pictured at the JKIA exit area.
Government vehicles pictured at the JKIA exit area.
Capital Group