Launch date for Nairobi commuter trains announced

Nairobi Commuter Trains will begin operations at the beginning of November 2020 as per the announcement by Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) boss Mohammed Badi. 

On October 28, Badi shared details regarding the expected operations of commuter trains in line with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system as he spoke to Jeff Koinange on Citizen TV. 

Badi said, “We will have commuter trains coming in from all directions of Nairobi. We have already started with Embakasi which has always been full every day from 5 p.m. From there we will have the BRT buses that will drop people either within the CBD or to their respective bus termini if they are continuing with their journey outside Nairobi."

He revealed that launch will be at the start of November 2020. 

"We are starting in November 2020, and so we just have one week until the entire system is officially launched," Badi added. 

The commuter trains which will be diesel-powered will operate along five routes namely, Nairobi Central Station to Embakasi Village, Syokimau, Kitengela, Kikuyu and Thika.

According to the Kenya Railways data, during weekdays 20,000 commuters use the rail network. 

Badi also stated that boda boda operators will be operating from the terminus close to the CBD and not in the town epicenter. 

The NMS boss explained, "We will have around 6 terminus for all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) starting with the one near Railways club. We are turning it into a terminus for all PSVs coming via Lang'ata Road, Ngong Road and Mombasa Road. This way, none of the matatus will be allowed within the CBD."

The main goal is to decongest the CBD. The decongestaion will also save time for commuters while on transit. 

Badi disclosed that a bus terminus currently under construction around the Globe Cinema where NMS had acquired land will handle all PSV traffic from that side of the CBD.

 

The NMS boss expressed his commitment and faith in the grand plan for the CBD. 

However, the matatu industry is bound to be affected once the commuter trains become fully operational.