The Kenya Railways Corporation is set to instal free Wi-Fi at all terminus including Nairobi, Mtito Andei, Mombasa, Voi, Athi River, Emali, Mariakana, Miasenyi, and Kibwezi. This is in abid to enhance customer experience as Wi-Fi has become a necessity for many in public places such as commuter stations who may use the internet for work as they go, check for service updates, or stay entertained as they wait to travel.
The passenger count for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) surged to 2.52 million in the fiscal year ending June 2023, marking an increase from 2.35 million in the preceding year and nearly doubling the figure from its inaugural year, which stood at 1.39 million.
This rise in passenger volumes contributed to a notable 21.2 percent growth in the SGR’s total revenue for the fiscal year ending June 2023, primarily attributed to heightened cargo transportation and passenger activity.
According to data from the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) achieved a record revenue of KES 18.2 billion during the period, showcasing a substantial rise from the KES 15.01 billion generated in the preceding year.
SGR’s earnings constitute 82 percent of KRC’s total revenue, contributing to a significant 25.6 percent increase in KRC’s overall revenues, which reached KES 22.24 billion.
The revenues are expected to rise significantly going forward after passenger fares were raised by 50 percent at the start of this year.
Earlier this year, the commuter service provider implemented a 50 percent fare hike for the SGR train route between Nairobi and Mombasa. This adjustment was made to offset the escalating operational expenses of the train service, particularly in response to the surge in fuel prices.
Consequently, passengers in first-class coaches now pay KES 4,500 from KES 3,000 last year to travel between the two cities. Those travelling in economy class coaches are paying KES 1,500 up from KES 1,000.
