Kenya Railways announced an increase in fares for five services including Madaraka Express Passenger Service, Madaraka Express Commuter Service, Nairobi Commuter Rail Service, Kisumu Safari Train and Nanyuki Safari Train.
The corporation further notified customers making advance purchases for the Madaraka Express Passenger Service that their prices would be adjusted to take into account the ticket purchasing window of 60 days.
“Customers making advance purchases for the Madaraka Express Passenger Service will notice the adjusted fares as of November 1, 2023,” the management said.
The increase is by 50 percent, where First-class users will be hit the hardest since they will be parting away with Sh4,500 one way from Sh3,000 currently.
Commuters using economy class from Nairobi to Mombasa will pay an extra Ksh500, up from Ksh1,000. Passengers who take the Nairobi to Suswa route will pay Ksh250, up from Ksh200.
“This increase is informed by changes in the energy and petroleum sector where fuel prices have significantly increased thus affecting the cost of our operations,” read a part of the statement released by Kenya Railways.
According to Kenya Railways, parents will pay half fare for children between 3 to 11 years. Children over 11 years old will pay the full fare while those aged 3 years and below will not incur any fare charges.
Charges from Athi River to Mombasa will be at 1,430 shillings.
Emali to Mombasa will attract a fare of 1,100 shillings.
Fares from Kibwezi to Mombasa will cost Sh890 while Voi to Mombasa will be at Sh440.
Mtito Andei to Mombasa Sh750.
Miasenyi to Mombasa Sh290, Mariakani to Mombasa Sh110.
The increased charges come amid the tough economic situation in the country, occasioned by the high cost of fuel as well as increase in basic commodities whose prices seem out of reach for many Kenyans.
“This increase is informed by changes in that energy and petroleum sector where prices of fuel have significantly increased thus increasing the cost of operations,” Kenya Railways said.
The new railway charges effective January 2024 (X)
Only last month did the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revise fuel prices upwards, with petrol soaring by Sh5.72 per liter, diesel (Sh4.48), and kerosene (Sh2.45).
It pushed a liter of petrol, diesel, and kerosene now retail at Sh217.36, Sh205.47, and Sh205.06 per liter in Nairobi.