SGR passenger services resume

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), passenger services resumed Monday after two months interruption following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

Amid this resumption, the train services are expected to operate under strict protocols put in place by the government.

Last week, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia disclosed the SGR will operate at half its normal capacity, with an extra coach set aside for isolation.

In observance of the social distancing guidelines, the train will carry a maximum of 600 passengers in 10 coaches while an additional coach will be used to isolate passengers who might be infected with the virus.

The first train left Nairobi for Mombasa minutes after 8am with a handful of passengers and top government officials at hand to supervise the take-off while ensuring that the safety guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health are strictly adhered to.

Additionally, all customer-facing employees shall wear masks and gloves. 

As of Monday morning, all passenger services staff serving customers have tested negative for COVID-19.

Speaking to the press after the take-off, Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Philip Jamhuri Mainga said despite the train  operating at 50 percent capacity, the fares remain the same.

The 10-coach train is expected in Mombasa at around 1pm and will set out for the second trip, reaching Nairobi at around 6.40pm providing ample time for passengers to reach home before the start of  9.00pm curfew.