Kenya Railways recently announced fare increases for several of its train services in response to rising fuel prices that have impacted their operational costs. The fare adjustments will take effect on January 1, 2024. The services affected by these changes include:
- Madaraka Express Passenger Service
- Madaraka Express Commuter Service
- Nairobi Commuter Rail Service
- Kisumu Safari Train
- Nanyuki Safari Train
For first-class passengers travelling on the Madaraka Express from Nairobi to Mombasa, the fare will increase to KES 4,500, up from the previous KES 3,000. Economy class commuters on the same route will see an extra KES 500 added to their fare, making it KES 1,500.
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to Suswa will also experience a fare increase, with the new rate being KES 250, up from KES 200. Parents with children aged 3 to 11 will pay half the fare, while those over eleven will pay the full fare. Children aged three and below will continue to travel free of charge. Kenya Railways have not yet released the revised prices for the Kisumu and Nanyuki routes.
Starting November 1, 2023, customers purchasing advance tickets for the Madaraka Express Passenger Service will notice adjusted fares. This change is to accommodate the 60-day ticket purchasing window.
Kenya Railways explained that these fare adjustments are a response to the significant increase in fuel prices, which has affected their operational costs. These changes come at a time when the country is facing economic challenges due to the high cost of fuel and the rising prices of essential goods.
The Kenyan central bank governor Kamau Thugge recently announced that the Kenyan shilling had been overvalued by 25% for years, implying that Kenya maintains an artificially strong exchange rate.
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