Update: The corporation noted that passengers could purchase their tickets through a USSD code instead of visiting the railway stations as they continued to resolve the matter.
"Please note that customers can now purchase tickets using the USSD Payment Solution by dialling*639# without visiting the stations.
"We will give you a further update once full services are restored," Kenya Railways stated.
Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on Wednesday, April 19, announced that it was unable to issue tickets to its customers after a system failure.
In a notice, the corporation cautioned that passengers were not able to book the Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) Madaraka Express train tickets online.
KRC stated that the challenges were due to a technical hitch that affected the online ticketing system.
However, the corporation added that it was working with its technicians to resolve the issue and continue with the services.
“We are currently experiencing a technical hitch with our ticketing system which we are working to resolve,” the notice read in part.
KRC advised its customers to visit the passenger service stations to make their bookings.
“In the meantime, we advise that you visit any Madaraka Express passenger Service Station to make your bookings.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the notice added.
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Madaraka Express train has been serving a large number of people on a daily basis since its introduction in June 2017.
In January 2018, Kenya Railways launched the Madaraka Express train service website, where passengers enjoy the convenience of booking a ride very easily.
Once a passenger makes the SGR online booking, the passenger receives a confirmation message with details to print the ticket at the respective departing station.
Previously, the only available means of booking SGR tickets for the trains between Nairobi and Mombasa were either using USSD Code *639# or visiting the Syokimau and Miritini stations respectively.
