Mombasa’s new SGR railway station nearing completion

NEW RAILWAY STATION FOR MOMBASA LOCATED IN MIRITINI

(Posted 19th April 2017)

The new passenger services by Kenya Railways will launch on or about the 01st of June after the new SGR, short for Standard Gauge Railway, has been officially launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Trial runs are presently underway to test the line in regard of train speeds and train loads but have been described as meeting expectations at this stage.
Two passenger trains will run every day in both directions, one being a one stop fast train, said to take only 4 1/2 hours while the second train will stop at seven stations along the route to allow passengers to get on and off the train.

Among those stations are the towns of Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River with in particular the towns of Voi and Mtito Andei of interest for tourists as they can from these locations access the Taita Hills, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks offering new business opportunities for transporters and new exciting itineraries to those parks with the combined use of rail and road.

Mombasa’s new station however has been constructed at Miritini, leaving passengers to cover the distance to Mombasa proper by either cab or being dropped and picked up as no special transport arrangements by Kenya Railways for a collection / drop off point have been made public at this stage, if at all KR does plan to offer such a service.

In contrast will Nairobi passengers, embarking and disembarking on the new SGR passenger trains, be able to use the current commuter trains from the main Nairobi Railway Station to Syokimau where they change trains, or so it is understood.

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(Final touches being put on the Nairobi and Mombasa main SGR stations)

The new passenger trains will according to information offer air conditioned carriages with First Class and Regular to choose from, a dining car but also service trolleys being wheeled through the train for passengers to get coffee, tea and snacks from their seats.
It is widely anticipated that the three times a week passenger service by Rift Valley Railways will end when the new SGR passenger trains begin to operate as their 14 hours long journey time can simply not compete with the 4 1/2 hours on the new SGR trains, apart from the service standards and condition of the coaches.
All railway stations have been constructed with enhanced security features for boarding passengers who have to undergo baggage and personal scanning similar to what is taking place at airports.