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Train operations grounded following heavy rains

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A man boards a train at the Syokimau station. Kenya Railways Corporation was forced to halt services on the route March 20, 2013 following floods. Photo/AFP

Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) was forced to halt Syokimau commuter train services Wednesday following a heavy downpour on Tuesday night.

KRC managing director Nduva Muli said the railway line had been submerged in water making it difficult for the train to run.

“We had little choice besides cancelling our operations after the flood,” the railway corporation said through its spokesperson. This forced passengers in Syokimau to rely on public service vehicles for transport to Nairobi’s central business district (CBD).

The floods worst affected the informal settlements of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, on the outskirts of Nairobi, through which the railway line passes.

The corporation said the houses built on the drainage channels near Mukuru Kwa Njenga interfere with flow of water leading to flooding whenever it rains.

The railway corporation added that it is working on a relocation plan that would see people living near drainage channels along rail lines resettled.

Trains make three round trips daily between Syokimau and the CBD which the transport system is meant to ease road traffic by offering an alternative to public service vehicles (PSVs).

READ: New commuter rail service to ease traffic jam

Initially, Kenya Railways was charging between Sh100 and Sh120 one way for the 18-kilometre journey that takes about 30 minutes.

Following complaints by commuters that the train service costs significantly more than PSVs, the fare was reviewed downwards to Sh50 for a one-way ticket and Sh100 for a return ticket at peak times.

Sources at the company indicate that it costs about Sh75,000 for one round train, half of it in operating costs mainly on fuel.

Maintenance of the trains take up to 20 per cent of the costs, while security and insurance takes up 10 and five per cent respectively.

The remaining 15 per cent goes towards miscellaneous expenses. This means that it must carry at least 750 passengers for a round trip to break even. The train has a capacity of 1,200 passengers one way.

The KRC seeks to rehabilitate Nairobi’s commuter rail sector, with ambitious plans to lay new railway lines, refurbish wagons and build new stations.

Apart from the Syokimau Station, three other new railway stations are being built in Makadara estate, Mombasa Road’s Imara Daima and Nairobi’s Moi Avenue.

The corporation has also come up with new rules that would offer train passengers a conducive environment.

Kenya Railway wants PSVs to access the terminus for not more than 40 minutes per trip as well as the government to outlaw hawking, touting, and washing of vehicles.

READ: Kenya Railways in row with City Hall over terminus use

To implement the timed-access rule, manual and automated barriers were to be installed from which operators would buy stickers with a 40 minute lifespan.

Kenya Railways has also set its sight on real estate as its seeks new revenue streams.