A train attendant serves a passenger in a train during a test-drive of the SGR train before its official launch May 31, 2017. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Kenya Railways (KR) has reversed an earlier decision that would have seen foreigners pay higher fares to enjoy the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train services.
Non-Kenyans travelling between Nairobi and Mombasa would have had to pay Sh4,000 for first class tickets and Sh1,200 for economy class beginning July 1 if the directive would have been implemented.The reversion of the decision will now see foreigners pay Sh700 for economy class and Sh3,000 for first class travel just like locals.“The position of having a different rate for foreigners has been suspended. They will just pay Sh700 on economy class ticket and Sh3,000 on first class ticket,” said Kenya Railways corporate affairs manager Mary Oyuke on Tuesday.She, however, did not give reason for the suspension of the decision.From the time of launch, two Madaraka Express trains have been operating between Nairobi and Mombasa with one train departing at 9am daily from both directions.It takes four hours to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa on Madaraka train.The express line gives travelers a cheaper and safer alternative to the single lane highway between Mombasa and Nairobi which is associated with traffic jams.It cost government Sh447.5 billion to put up the 472-kilometre railway line.