New Mombasa commuter rail to ease transfers from SGR terminus
The new service aims to reduce transfer costs and ease movement for thousands of passengers who have relied on road transport for the final stretch into town. The
Kenya Railways is finalising plans to launch the Mombasa Commuter Rail service, which will directly link the Miritini SGR terminus to the Mombasa city centre.
This new rail line is expected to end the long-standing inconvenience faced by passengers who have had to rely on matatus, taxis, and boda bodas for the 11-kilometre journey into town after arriving on the Madaraka Express.
“Imagine, no more long, costly transfers from Mombasa Terminus and easier movement for families, tourists, traders and students,” Kenya Railways said in a statement on Wednesday.
The agency described the upcoming launch as a major win for the people of Mombasa and all Kenyans who travel by railway. “This is more than a transport upgrade, it’s a win for the people of Mombasa and all Kenyans who travel by railway. The countdown to launch has begun. The change you’ve been waiting for is almost here,” the statement added.
The soon-to-be-launched service will offer direct access to the Mombasa Central Business District, drastically cutting travel time and costs for thousands of daily commuters who have had to contend with costly, time-consuming transfers by road.
Kenya Railways has previously stated that the project is part of a broader strategy to enhance urban mobility and integrate railway services with city transport systems. The service is expected to run multiple trips daily between the Miritini SGR terminus and the old Mombasa station, with stops at strategic locations.
Once operational, the Mombasa Commuter Rail will mirror the Nairobi Commuter Rail network, which has been widely credited with easing traffic and providing affordable alternatives for city dwellers.
Infrastructure upgrades are already underway, including platform rehabilitation, installation of modern ticketing systems, and testing of refurbished DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) trains.
Kenya Railways did not disclose the exact launch date, but the new commuter rail is shaping up to be a game-changer for urban mobility in Mombasa, with the coastal city's tourism and trade sectors poised to benefit.
