Relief as Uhuru unveils upgraded rail system to unlock cities’ traffic jams
By Noel Wandera, November 11, 2020
The Nairobi Integrated Mass Transport system expected to unlock billions of shillings wasted through traffic snarl-ups took shape yesterday, with the commissioning by President Uhuru Kenyatta of modern commuter trains to serve the capital city’s high density estates.
The plan that has so far cost Sh6.6 billion will begin from the Nairobi Central Railway Station, with the trains moving over 40,000 commuters to Ruiru, Mwiki, Embakasi Village, Athi River, Kikuyu, Kahawa, Githurai, Dandora, Pipeline and Donholm Estates.
“It is gratifying to me that today, we are seeing the fruits of our efforts to achieve these broad aims through the unveiling of commuter rail service across 10 stations in the Nairobi Metropolitan region operating new DMU trains that will create a new commuter experience that will be faster, much more affordable and reliable,” said the president.
Value of time
It is estimated that the value of time it costs to travel in Nairobi is between Sh80 million and Sh400 million per month, while congestion costs the country Sh50 million every day.
“Needless say, this loss in productivity has impacted adversely on the growth of our economy, and it is estimated that as a country, we lose in excess of Sh100 billion evey year,” said President Uhuru.
He said over-reliance on road transport has also negatively impacted on the environment, with studies on climate change and environmental impacts indicating that the transport sector produces about 15 per cent of Kenya’s total greenhouse emissions and 39 per cent of the country’s Carbon emissions generated by the road transport.
Urban transport
By diversifying the country’s urban transport solution and giving commuters the option of faster and cheaper travel by rail, Uhuru said the number of motor vehicles by trips will reduce, saving Kenyans their time and money, as well as enhancing air quality in urban areas.
The masterplan envisions an integration between the Standard Gauge Railway, intra-city commuter rail service and existing Matatu commuter services, with KR providing high capacity buses from the Nairobi Central Railway Station for last mile connectivity for the commuter rail passengers from Industrial Area, Upper Hill, Westlands, Parklands and Pangani.