The SGR railway station in Miritini, Mombasa. [Photo/ businessdailyafrica,com]
Kenya Railways will in July increase the frequency of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger trains between Nairobi and Mombasa to serve rising demand from travelers.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said on Thursday four more Madaraka Express trains will transport travellers between Nairobi and Mombasa beginning July.He said three trains will transport commuters to Nairobi daily while three others will carry passengers to Mombasa bringing the number of trains connecting Nairobi and Kenya’s second largest city to six a day.Balala who spoke in Diani Reef Resort in Kwale added that following the introduction of the train services, leisure facilities in Mombasa had experienced an increase in the number of domestic tourists.The first train which will make stopovers in Voi and Mtito Andei along the route will leave Mombasa at 8am while the second which will be express will depart at 9am.“It has come to our understanding that many travelers have been missing the opportunity to travel by rail. Some groups of tourists have been unable to travel to Mombasa due to limited seats,” he said.He expressed optimism that the move will boost tourism in Mombasa and Nairobi and help revive the tourism industry adding that the construction of a bridge between Mombasa Island and Likoni could provide a lasting solution to the area’s transport crisis.“The major challenge crippling tourism in the South Coast is the problem of transport on the Likoni channel. The solution is for the government to build a bridge,” he said.