Kenya Railways Announces Stopover For SGR Madaraka Express Train

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Madaraka Express train running from Nairobi-Mombasa and back will for the first time have a stopover at Voi from February 1, 2023.

Kenya Railways on Sunday, January 8 announced that the 3.00 pm train, which usually runs non-stop, will stop at Voi station which means a change in its train schedule.

The stopover at the coastal town will be for only five minutes, afterwhich it will proceed with its journey between the two destinations.

Taita Taveta County Trade, Tourism, Gender Culture and Cooperatives executive Milkah Righa meets KR officials outside Voi SGR Station in 2020. /THE STAR

"Kenya Railways wishes to notify members of the public that the 1500 hrs Madaraka Express Passenger Service train will now make a stopover at Voi station effective February 1, 2023. Passengers from Mombasa and Nairobi Termini can board and alight the train at Voi station.

"The Mombasa to Nairobi afternoon Express train will now arrive at Voi station at 4:38 pm and depart at 4:43 pm; while the Nairobi to Mombasa afternoon Express train will arrive at Voi station at 6:48 pm and depart at 6:53 pm," the notice read in part.

The Mombasa to Nairobi train will therefore complete its journey at 8:18 pm, with the Nairobi to Mombasa train completing its journey at 8:30 pm.

Kenya Railways noted that the decision to add Voi to its stopover trips was informed by the demand for passengers that are commuting from Voi to the major towns.

While adding that it will open new bookings for the route, Kenya Railways reiterated that passengers must arrive at the stations one hour before departure.

"We also take this opportunity to remind customers that one must arrive at least one hour before departure in order to have a smooth check-in and boarding experience. Individual or group bookings can be done through the USSD code *639# or by visiting the website https://metickets.krc.co.ke," added the statement.

Since its inception under former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration, the SGR has been the go-to transport for many Kenyans living in Nairobi and Mombasa due to its affordable fares, compared to other forms of transport such as air.

Kenya Railways had revealed plans to link the Miritini Standard Guage Railway (SGR) Station to Mombasa Old Town station as a response to complaints from Kenyans regarding the transition from the Miritini terminus to the Mombasa Central Business District (CBD), a move which would involve the revamping of the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR).

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that there were plans to add more trains on various routes as the government invests more in the railway sector.

"We will also be working to restore passenger trains along the old Metre Gauge Railway routes. Further, we will be increasing the number of wagons and coaches, which, together with the old wagons and coaches that are currently being revamped at our Nairobi workshops," the CS revealed.

An SGR at a train station. /FILE