Kenya Railways has released fare details and the full trip schedule for the newly launched Mombasa Commuter Rail Service, officially unveiled by President William Ruto on Wednesday, September 17.
The new service, which runs between Mombasa Terminus and the Central Business District (CBD), aims to provide a fast, reliable, and affordable alternative to road transport, helping to ease congestion and improve mobility across the coastal city.
President Ruto: “A game changer for Mombasa’s public transport”
Speaking at the launch, President Ruto described the commuter rail as a major step in transforming urban transportation.
“This commuter rail service will change the way Kenyans move in and out of our coastal city. It will be timely, help ease congestion, and address the challenges of unreliable road traffic,” he said.
The rail service connects Mombasa CBD with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus at Miritini, offering passengers faster, safer, and more predictable journeys.
“It will cut commuting time between Mombasa town and the SGR terminal, reduce road gridlocks, lower road accidents and travel costs, and provide both residents and visitors with a modern, affordable, and reliable transport option,” the President added.
The commuter trains will make stops at key locations including:
- Miritini
- Changamwe West
- Changamwe East
- Shimanzi
- Mazeras
- Mombasa CBD
The service is designed to accommodate up to 4,000 passengers per day, easing pressure on road infrastructure and offering greater convenience for daily commuters.
President Ruto also emphasized the significance of the rehabilitated 13.8-kilometre rail line, along with a 2.8-kilometre connection to the SGR, describing it as the closure of a historic transport gap at Kilometre Zero.
“This is part of our broader strategy to expand Kenya’s rail network—from Naivasha to Malaba through Kisumu, and along the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor—cementing Kenya’s position as the gateway to Africa,” he said.
Fares and Trip Schedule
Kenya Railways has set the commuter fare at sh50, making the service highly affordable for daily users.
The rail service will operate multiple trips daily, beginning as early as 4:10 AM, and running throughout the day to accommodate morning, afternoon, and evening commuters.
Sample Morning Route:
- Departure: Mombasa Terminus – 4:10 AM
- Stop: Miritini – 4:14 AM
- Arrival: Mombasa Railway Station (CBD) – 4:45 AM
To ensure seamless integration with the Madaraka Express Passenger Service, Kenya Railways has coordinated link train schedules for both arriving and departing passengers:
For Madaraka Express departures (from Mombasa Terminus):
- 8:00 AM → Link train from Mombasa Railway Station at 6:25 AM
- 3:00 PM → Link train from Mombasa Railway Station at 12:35 PM
- 10:00 PM → Link train from Mombasa Railway Station at 7:20 PM
For Madaraka Express arrivals (from Nairobi):
- 4:00 AM → Link train to CBD departs at 4:10 AM
- 2:00 PM → Link train to CBD departs at 2:25 PM
- 8:30 PM → Link train to CBD departs at 9:00 PM
This well-coordinated transport network is expected to significantly reduce travel delays, boost efficiency, and improve the overall commuter experience in Mombasa.
The launch of the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service marks another milestone in Kenya’s efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure, ease urban congestion, and improve access to safe and reliable public transit.
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