The soon-to-be-launch Mombasa Commuter Rail service rail station. KR/X
A long-standing inconvenience for passengers arriving in Mombasa via the Madaraka Express is finally being addressed.
In a major development, Kenya Railways has announced the imminent launch of the Mombasa Commuter Rail service, a move set to revolutionise how travellers access the coastal city.
"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.
For years, passengers disembarking from the Nairobi-Mombasa SGR train at the Miritini Terminus, located some 11 kilometres from the city centre, have had to rely on matatus, taxis or boda bodas for the final leg of their journey.
Now, with the new service, that inconvenience is set to become a thing of the past.
“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 statement added.
"The change you’ve been waiting for is almost here.”
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.
