Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) reported a 13.8 percent increase in the number of passengers utilizing the standard gauge railway (SGR) during the third quarter.
In the July-September period, passenger traffic reached 701,132, reflecting a surge in economic activities compared to 615,760 in the same timeframe in 2022, as disclosed by KRC, the overseeing body of the industry.
The Chinese-built railway transported 597,506 passengers in the first quarter of 2023 and 652,299 in the second quarter, contributing to an overall upward trend.
The cumulative passenger count for the first nine months until September stands at 1.95 million, marking an ascent from 1.74 million in the corresponding period in 2022.
Kenya Railways Corporation anticipates that the SGR passenger traffic will reach a new peak this year, surpassing the 2.39 million recorded in 2022.
Simultaneously, the SGR cargo train exhibited growth, hauling 1.73 million tonnes of cargo in the third quarter, up from 1.57 million tonnes during the same period in 2022.
Last month, Kenya Railways announced a significant fare increase for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) system, citing the rising costs of fuel as the primary driver.
This move comes at a challenging time for Kenyan citizens, who are already grappling with a high cost of living, and it is likely to pose a considerable financial burden on budget-conscious individuals.
Starting from next year, commuters traveling between Nairobi and Mombasa, or vice versa, will be required to pay Ksh1,500 for a one-way ticket in the economy class and Ksh4,500 for business class.
gandae@businessdayafrica.org