President Uhuru Kenyatta flagging off a cargo train at the Port Reitz station, Mombasa, on May 30, 2017. [PHOTO/nation.co.ke]
Even as President Uhuru Kenyatta launches the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) today Wednesday, there is a lot about the project that Kenyans still do not know.
Did you know, for example, that the train will travel at an average speed of 20km/h?
Okay, here are some of the facts you should know:
SGR train has a name. It has been named Madaraka ExpressThe train has the capacity of transporting at least 1,200 passengers on a daily basisMadaraka Express will offer intercity and county transport services between Mombasa and NairobiNine modern stations have been constructed or are under construction along the railway route between Nairobi and MombasaThe SGR distance between the two cities will be 472 kilometres onlyThe train will move at an average speed of 20km/hTravellers in economy class will pay Sh900 while those in the business class will pay Sh3,000The cost of transporting a 20-foot container from Mombasa to Nairobi will be Sh50,000The whole railway project cost the taxpayer Sh327 billionThe cargo train was launched on May 30 but the passenger train was launched May 31.
Now you know!