• Kenya Railways recently introduced premium SGR coaches with modern amenities, attracting an influx of travellers for the festive season
• New premium coaches offer extra comfort, including charging ports, baby-changing stations, and spacious seating arrangements for long journeys
• The high demand for premium seats prompts calls for Kenya Railways to expand services, especially with a rise in family and group travel

Muyela Roberto is a business journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 9 years of experience in the digital media, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenyans have started flocking to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) online platform to book seats ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Premium SGR coach bookings surge in Kenya

Unlike previous years when passengers were limited to choosing between regular and VIP sections, they now have an additional option: premium coaches.

Read also

Greenland eyes tourism takeoff with new airport runway

These new coaches are equipped with modern facilities to ensure passengers enjoy maximum comfort throughout their journey.

Each coach offers charging ports for each passenger, baby-changing areas to help mothers freshen up their babies, foldout tray tables, and pocket seats for keeping small items.

The seating arrangement is designed for long-distance journeys, providing passengers ample space to stretch, sleep, or walk around.

This arrangement offers an excellent experience for friends and families travelling together, making conversations and regular interactions easy and convenient.

There are 28 premium coaches, with tickets priced at KSh 12,000 for a one-way trip from Nairobi to Mombasa, and KSh 20,000 for a round-trip ticket.

SGR premium coaches cater to families

Passengers who have already used the coaches told TUKO.co.ke that these are ideal for families and friends planning to travel together for holidays or business. They urged Kenya Railways to increase the number of coaches to meet the growing demand.

Read also

Tamarind Hotel celebrates 2024 in fashionable cake mixing fete

Felix Mbui, a Nairobi resident from Pipeline who travelled with his family, mentioned that he needed additional tickets for extended family members who wanted to join him on the trip to the Coast.

“I have saved the whole year for this and was prepared to take my family to Mombasa so we can enjoy five days. Kenya Railways should consider adding more coaches offering such services,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Margaret Oduor, a single mother of four who travelled to Mombasa last week using the premium coaches.

“It was a nice experience with my boys, but we need more coaches as my friends and sisters are eager to join,” she shared.

Kenya Railways currently has 92 class locomotives, each equipped with a coach offering these special features.

The locomotives are fuel-efficient and run on modern engines. The Class 9210 locomotive was remanufactured in September 2023 and launched in October 2023.

Read also

William Ruto vows to give 1k affordable houses to Kenyans in slums by December: “I’m confident”

Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga said they have received significant positive feedback from Kenyans requesting more coaches as the festive season begins.

Kenya Railways expands infrastructure

Mainga noted that the agency is committed to creating a more customer-friendly travelling experience and will consider expanding the premium coach services.

“We have just started with the premium coach experience and plan to expand it due to growing demand. For now, the focus is on meeting all customer needs across all sectors,” he said.

The MD added that, besides Mombasa, Kenya Railways is enhancing its transport services in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

“The corporation is now at an advanced stage of completing the Nairobi-Lukenya station project, which will serve Mlolongo, Kitengela, and Lukenya. Athi River Station is complete and operational,” the MD confirmed.

The Donholm, Pipeline, Aviation, and Embakasi Village stations remain operational, with Kenya Railways data showing an increase in passenger numbers from 20,000 to 100,000.

Read also

Kenyan Newspapers Review: Rigathi Gachagua allies warn Kindiki ground is hostile as he takes office

According to Mainga, Kenya Railways is developing a National Electric Mobility Policy to promote e-mobility, aiming to reduce the transport sector’s carbon footprint.

There are also plans to establish the Kenya Transport Accident Investigation Bureau, tasked with investigating accidents and incidents in land surface transport (road and rail) and the maritime sector.

Source: TUKO.co.ke