Premium Class Service of Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations and Madaraka Express Commissioned
Premium Class Service of Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations and Madaraka Express Commissioned
Roads and transport cabinet secretary Eng. David Chirchir has commissioned the Nairobi Commuter Rail service stations and the KR premium class operations.
Speaking during during the event CS Chirchir noted that “The Nairobi Commuter Rail development is part of the Nairobi Metropolitan Transport Master Plan.”
Premium Class Service of Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations and Madaraka Express Commissioned
He added that Kenya Railways is undertaking the rehabilitation of the Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) network to modernize the Nairobi Commuter rail transport system.
“This involves rehabilitation of the railway lines, upgrading of halts to mini stations, modernizing the Nairobi Central Railway Station and increasing the rolling stock.”
Notably, the NCR Project is geared towards decongesting roads within the Nairobi metropolitan and aims at providing passengers with safe, reliable and affordable transport services in and around Nairobi city.
Premium Class Service of Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations and Madaraka Express Commissioned
The Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) project encompasses the
rehabilitation and upgrade of a total of 139 km of railway track.
Track rehabilitation works were undertaken to improve the riding comfort of the commuters, increase safety of operations and reduce the transit time for the trips by eliminating speed restrictions.
The Nairobi Commuter Railway network is divided into four
corridors.
The corridors are namely
Line 1: Nairobi Central Railway Station– Kikuyu
This corridor has a length of 31 km and it has two intermediate stations; Kibera and Dagoretti.
Line 2: Makadara – Ruiru
The corridor has a length of 26 km and it has four intermediate stations; Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai and Kahawa.
Line 3: Nairobi Central Station– Konza
This a corridor with a length of 75 kilometres (km) and is being rehabilitated to improve the access to the Konza Technopolis City.
The line has seven intermediate stations; Makadara, Imara Daima, Embakasi, Athi River, Lukenya, Kapiti and Stony Athi.
Line 4: Makadara – Embakasi Village
This corridor has a length of 7.2 km and has two intermediate stations; Donholm and Pipeline.
Premium Class Service of Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations and Madaraka Express Commissioned
World Bank has pledged Ksh 65 billion towards the construction of fifty-eight (58) kilometers of new rail network
aiming to transform the commuter experience with a target of transporting a hundred thousand (100,000) passengers daily by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year up from the current twenty thousand (20,000).
NCR STATIONS
KR has constructed and modernized the following NCR stations
1)Completed: Nairobi Railway Central Station
i. Ruiru
ii. Githurai
iii. Mwiki
iv. Dandora
v. Kariobangi
vi. Lukenya
vii. Kitengela
viii. Aviation
ix. Mutindwa
x. Kenyatta University
xi. Satellite
xii. Gitaru
xiii. Mlolongo
xiv. Konza
Ongoing:
i. Kibera
ii. Makongeni
iii. Mutuini
iv. Thogoto
v. Kariobangi
vi. Gitambaya
The Government plans to complete thirty-two (32) new stations along which will significantly boost our capacity of commuters within the Nairobi metropolis.
3. ROLLING STOCK – LOCOMOTIVES AND COACHES
Already have rehabilitated between 300 – 500 Meter Gauge Railway coaches at the Nairobi Workshop.
KR acquired Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) which are under operation providing reliable, safe and comfortable modern rail transport services.
Kenya Railways is also underway with the construction of the Ultra-Modern Carriage and Wagon (CXR) Workshop.
Premium Class Service of Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations and Madaraka Express Commissioned
B. THE MADARAKA EXPRESS PREMIUM CLASS SERVICE
In July 2024 Kenya Railways received a batch of new passenger service rolling stock which included: 1 Dining car,
4 Premium Class, 4 First Class, 10 Economy Class coaches and
Power car 1.
Guided by our vision of providing a world-class rail service, Kenya Railways has elevated the rail travel experience with the introduction of an exclusive Premium Class service.
These premium coaches are designed with the discerning traveler in mind, featuring:
• Optimized seating arrangement with each coach limited to 28 passengers, guaranteeing ample legroom and
personal space and maximum comfort throughout the journey
• Additional storage options to cater for the needs of travelers with extra baggage providing a hassle-free
travel experience.
• Seats designed for ultimate relaxation and can fully recline akin to a bed with configurations that support
privacy and work, allowing passengers to rest or remain productive on transit.
• The coaches are incorporated with automated window shutters and seats that can rotate to face any direction
introducing a new level of sophistication and convenience in rail travel.
• The Premium Class coach will be segregated from other compartments to ensure a tranquil and private
environment.
• Passengers will be treated to complimentary beverages
and sumptuous meals on board.
• A dedicated train crew team, trained for Premium Class services will be on hand to attend to passengers’ needs
ensuring a personalized and memorable journey.
• An array of entertainment pieces ranging from music, comic among others and configured with WiFi to stay connected along the journey.
• Passengers will enjoy exclusive access to VIP lounges and benefit from priority boarding and disembarkation at the terminals.
