Kenya: commuter timetable change

[John Ashworth]

RVR TIMETABLE CHANGE

Railways Africa on May 23, 2011 in Kenya

Rift Valley Railways (RVR) has reduced the 
the number of stops made by commuter trains on the Ruiri-Nairobi route. Those at Kihunguru and Kahawa were eliminated in mid-May, to the dismay of residents. At the same time, two additional stops have been added – at Kasarani and Maili Saba. According to passengers, stopping at Maili Saba is dangerous because of the hilly area.

In terms of the new schedule, the train proceeds from Githurai to Kasarani, then Maili Saba, Dandora, Kariobangi South, Mutindwa and Makadara to Nairobi.

RVR chairman Brown Ondego explains that the two stopping places were dropped because of the short distance the train was covering between one stop and the next. “Some of the stages did not make sense at all,” Odengo says. “We are removing the stages that are dangerous.” He adds that RVR is reducing the morning passenger pick-up time from 05:30 to 06:00.