NAIROBI, March 27 (Xinhua) — Revenue generated by Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger train increased by 41 percent in 2024, the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) said in a report on Wednesday.
The train generated 4.09 billion Kenyan shillings (about 31.6 million U.S. dollars) during the period, up from 22.4 million dollars in 2023. However, passenger numbers declined to 2.45 million from 2.72 million the previous year, KRC reported.
According to the report, revenue growth was driven by the introduction of a popular premium service and an increase in fare charges from Jan. 1, 2024. The fare adjustment led to an increase in first-class ticket prices from 23.1 dollars to 34.7 dollars, while economy-class fares rose from 7.72 dollars to 11.5 dollars.
In October 2024, KRC upgraded the SGR passenger train with premium-class coaches to enhance the customer experience.
The Chinese-built train, meanwhile, transported 6.53 million tonnes of cargo between Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa in 2024, matching the haulage recorded in 2023, KRC said.
Since its inception in June 2017, the SGR passenger service in Kenya has transported over 14.8 million passengers, according to Africa Star Railway Operation Company Ltd, the Chinese firm responsible for SGR operations and maintenance.
