Kenyans were able to make the inaugural trip on the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa in 5 hours on Monday.
The passenger train left Nairobi at 2.00pm and arrived in Mombasa at around 7.00pm.
The train crew lines up at the Mombasa terminus awaiting passenger departure, May 29, 2017. /MONICAH MWANGI
President Uhuru Kenyatta will officially launch SGR operations on Wednesday at
Port Reitz where the cargo train trip from Mombasa will be flagged off.
He is to make the first ride from Mombasa to Nairobi on the 120kmph train.
The train crew handling baggage at the Mombasa terminus, May 29, 2017. /EUGENE OKUMU
According to the feasibility study, SGR will reduce transport costs, compared to road transport, especially as volume increases.
The SGR is expected to shorten the distance between Nairobi and Mombasa, and facilitate efficient cargo transportation.
The train crew at the Mombasa terminus, May 29, 2017. /EUGENE OKUMU
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Kenya Railways Corporation has
received
the full order of five passenger and eight shunting locomotive and 40 passenger coaches has been delivered. as well as 763 Wagons out of the 1,620 on order.
A silhouette of passengers on phone after getting off the new SGR train that made its maiden trip from Nairobi to Mombasa in a time of 5 hours, May 29, 2017. /EUGENE OKUMU