Kenya Railways announces increases fare for minors using SGR, effective June 1st 2019

SGR fare increased for the third time since launch

Tony Mukere

May 3, 2019 5:12 PM

Fare hike comes amid reports of SGR making losses

Kenya Railways announces increases fare for minors using SGR, effective June 1st 2019

The Kenya Railways has increased the SGR fare paid by minors in a raft of changes that will take effect on June 1^st – the second anniversary of the passenger train.

The changes come amid reports of the SGR project making losses even as the maturity debt of the Sh320 billion taken to complete the project has reached.

In the changes, minors who are three years and above will now pay Sh1000 fare from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa – up from Sh500 that has been charged for the second class service.

Minors in the first class passenger service have hitherto paid Sh1500 for the journey between Nairobi and Mombasa – but will now pay Sh3000 for the same.

The changes will not affect the fare paid by adults as it will remain Sh1000 for the second class cabins and Sh3000 for the first class facility.

Kenya Railways announces increases fare for minors using SGR, effective June 1st 2019 Pulse Live Kenya

Madaraka Express

During the launch of the passenger train christened Madaraka Express, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Kenya Railways to lower the fare from Sh900 to Sh700 that had been announced a day earlier. Minors between the ages of three and eleven paid Sh350 at the time.

In April 2018, the Kenya Railways reviewed the SGR fare for the second time, increasing it to Sh1000 for the passenger service (Sh500 for minors aged between 3 and 11).

The first class service has, however, been spared from the fare reviews.

The statement released on Friday also indicated that passengers will from June 1^st 2019 have the option of selecting seats when making a book. The current system allocates seats in a random manner.

The advance booking period has also been increased from 30 days to 60 days – making it easier for passengers to adequately plan for their trips.

Tony Mukere