Matatus and buses back bid to raise train ticket charges

Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua at a past media briefing in Nairobi. FILE PHOTO | NMG

What you need to know:

  • Last week, Kenya Railways managing director Atanas Maina said the inter-county train service charge on the Madaraka Express train between Mombasa and Nairobi would rise by 30 per cent come April 1.
  • This is a good move,” Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua said, adding that the new rates will result in a level playing field on the route.
  • Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai welcomed the move, terming it a win-win situation for all.

Quality will in the next two months define competition between buses and the Madaraka Express train on the Mombasa-Nairobi route.

This follows a decision by the railway operator to retire the introductory fares that travellers on the inter-county train have been paying. And this is what is making bus operators happy.

Last week, Kenya Railways managing director Atanas Maina said the inter-county train service charge on the Madaraka Express train between Mombasa and Nairobi would rise by 30 per cent come April 1.

This is, however, subject to approval by the Transport Ministry come next month.

“They have been offering introductory rates and we knew that, in a matter of time, the rates would increase. This is a good move,” Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua said, adding that the new rates will result in a level playing field on the route.

The inter-county service trains, launched two months ago to supplement the Madaraka Express train, have been charging customers Sh50 from Mombasa to Mariakani, Sh230 from Voi to Kibwezi, Sh130 from Athi River to Emali, Sh510 from Nairobi to Voi and Sh400 from Emali to Maisenyi on economy class.

On first class, passenger have been paying Sh140 from Mombasa to Mariakani, Sh920 from Voi to Kibwezi, Sh660 from Athi River to Emali, Sh2,130 from Nairobi to Voi and Sh1,670 from Emali to Maisenyi. But matatus plying Mombasa-Voi route have been charging Sh100 from Mariakani to Mombasa and Sh700 from Nairobi to Voi.

Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai welcomed the move, terming it a win-win situation for all.

He said KRC had no option but to adjust the prices upwards on the inter-county train service.