The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on Monday, March 4, announced the launch of six new passenger stations in Mombasa County.
KRC's latest move is part of the corporation's efforts to ensure seamless connectivity between the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the old Metre Gauge Railway (MGR).
The SGR-MGR link project in the Coastal region is expected to be completed by May 31, 2024, and covers a stretch of 17 kilometres.
“The project includes the construction of new MGR passenger stations at Mombasa Terminus, Miritini, Changamwe West, Changamwe East, Shimanzi and the Mombasa Central station,” KRC stated.
The SGR line already has a terminus in Mombasa located at Miritini and the new MGR stations in the area will enhance passenger movement.
In the past, passengers alighting from Miritini heading to Mombasa Island have been forced to seek alternative means of travel.
With the extra stations, this will offer a cheaper and more reliable mode of transportation for Kenyans using the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
Kenya launched its first SGR-MGR link in January 2022, at Mai Mahiu Station in Naivasha.
The link made it possible for passengers to travel exclusively using a train from Mombasa to the Western part of Kenya.
This was made possible by connecting a 5-kilometre link between SGR and the Metre Gauge Railway that transverses to Malaba and Bungoma.
The two SGR-MGR link projects will not only enhance passenger travel but also reduce the amount of time it takes to transport cargo from the Port of Mombasa to other parts of the country.
Cargo is also expected to be transported faster from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Sudan and other landlocked East African Community (EAC) countries.
