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We are not affected by the new SGR trains, says Jambojet

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A Jambojet plane in Kisumu. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Low-cost airline Jambojet says it has not been affected by the introduction of the faster passenger trains.

Chief executive officer Willem Hondius says the newly launched 'Madaraka Express' is unlikely to affect air transport.

He said that the trains will probably affect road passenger transporters due to the excitement over the new mode of transport.

Bus companies have already expressed concern that the cheaper rail transport would push them out of business.

“We don’t see much effect from the passenger trains which began operation last week. Maybe the passengers who used to travel by road might opt to travel by train,” Mr Hondius said.

Slower

He said, though, that flight bookings for August this year are slower compared to August last year due to the upcoming elections on August 8.

Jambojet, a subsidiary of national carrier Kenya Airways, currently operates three daily flights between Nairobi and Mombasa.

President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the Sh327-billion Standard Gauge Railway project on May 31 when he flagged off the maiden passenger train in Mombasa.

Passengers travelling by the faster trains between Mombasa and Nairobi, pay a fare of Sh700 for economy class and Sh3,000 for business class.