Commuter Train Service in Nairobi
Commuter train services were introduced in Nairobi in the 1980s to provide a low cost public transport alternative to the urban poor in the city, following a crippling economic inflation the country was experiencing at the time. Although the existing railway system in Kenya was built primarily for moving freight, long distance passenger services had been in operation between Nairobi and Mombasa, as well as to Kisumu, since the railway service went into operation in 1903. Its history is well documented at the Nairobi Railway Museum. The Kenya Railways Corporation did not therefore have to acquire any new passenger wagons for the new service.
Service Coverage
The commuter train service is available on four different lines serving a limited number of areas in the city, including Kibera to the west of the city, Syokimau to the south of the city, and various areas east of the city, as indicated in the train route map on the left. All the lines converge at the Nairobi Railway Station in the city centre, which also serves as one of the major matatu termini in the city. To move from one outskirt to another, one therefore has to change trains at this station.
On average, about 19,000 passengers are transported per day to and from the outskirts through this service, amounting to less that 1% of total daily commuters in the city according to a 2007 report by the Ministry of Roads and Public Works. Due to this limited capacity, the trains carry sitting as well as standing passengers, with some hanging at the doors. On the plus side, getting to the city centre by train is much faster than by road, and more affordable.
Schedules
The commuter trains operate on weekdays during rush hours in the morning and evening as indicated in the schedules below. The service is not available on weekends, public holidays, and during times of the day on weekdays that are not indicated in the schedules below.
Train Departures from Outside Stations to Nairobi| From | To | Hours | Hours | Hours | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahawa | Nairobi | 05:30 | 06:18 | 09:10 | 17:00 |
| Dandora | Nairobi | 05:58 | 07:40 | 09:46 | |
| Embakasi | Nairobi | 05:45 | 07:17 | 17:25 | |
| Ruiru | Nairobi | 05:50 | |||
| Kikuyu | Nairobi | 05:40 | |||
| Syokimau Imara Makadara | Imara Makadara Nairobi | 06:55 (peak) 07:09 (peak) 07:23 (peak) | 09:05 (off peak) 09:19 (off peak) 09:33 (off peak) | 18:50 (off peak) 19:04 (off peak) 19:18 (off peak) |
| From | To | Hours | Hours | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | Kahawa | 07:35 | 15:50 | 18:20 |
| Nairobi | Dandora | 07:05 | ||
| Nairobi | Embakasi | 06:42 | 16:30 | 18:05 |
| Nairobi | Ruiru | 17:35 | ||
| Nairobi | Kikuyu | 17:40 | ||
| Nairobi Makadara Imara Daima | Makadara Imara Daima Syokimau | 08:00 (off peak) 08:14 (off peak) 08:28 (off peak) | 17:50 (peak) 18:04 (peak) 18:18 (peak) | 19:50 (peak) 20:04 (peak) 20:18 (peak) |
Charges
This is the most cost-effective public transport system in Nairobi with current fares ranging from a low of Ksh 20 (one way) for Kibera, to a high of Ksh 100 (return) for Syokimau. Other places fall in between.
Bon voyage.
i wish them all the best and qiuck expansion to many more places within and outside the city
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Hi I am inquiring wether there is a train service from Nairobi to kitale? could you please advise me with the information service, times and prices? thank you
No, there is no passenger service to Kitale, although there is a railway line.
http://www.jambonairobi.co.ke/services/public-transport/railway-services/inter-city-passenger-train-service-in-kenya/
are there train services from Riruta Satellite to town.
I believe the Kikuyu train passes through Riruta, though this may have changed. Perhaps those living on that side of Nairobi can let us know.
Does the commuter train to syokimau operate on Sundays?
How much is kahawa west to mtitoandei