Member of Parliament for Jomvu constituency Badi Twalib has welcomed the introduction of commuter rail services in Jomvu and Changamwe by the Kenya Railway.
The project, the Legislator said, will revolutionize transport and enable traders and passengers arriving or departing with the Madaraka Express train at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Mombasa terminus to save time.
“I want to inform you that our commuter train will be completed by the end of May. As residents of Jomvu especially Miritini this is your year of transformation,” stated the Jomvu MP.
The MP revealed that the Managing Director of Kenya Railways has assured him that residents whose houses were affected by the project have been compensated.
Last year November, The Principal Secretary of the State Department of Transport, Mohamed Daghar, announced in Mombasa that the government had allocated Sh1.1 billion for land compensation to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) to Miritini.
The Sh4.2 billion project commenced in September 2022 but was derailed by land acquisition challenges.
“It will have 16 passenger coaches, each with a capacity of 85 passengers. It will enable our businesses to thrive by facilitating the transportation of goods. We are lucky, the train will unlock Jomvu’s business potential. Our learners will commute safely,” said Twalib.
He thanked the government for rerouting the railway line saving Maganda Primary School from demolition.
PS Daghar said the government would give concession rates to passengers for a seamless commuter experience.
The second part of the project involves the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Central Railway Station and the setting up of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi.
It also entails the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the SGR and MGR platforms, a locomotive turntable and a railway bridge with a length of 480 metres across the Makupa Causeway.
The commuter train will enable Mombasa residents to have an alternative mode of transport easing pressure on road transport.
“Commuter rail is part of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) that the Ministry of Roads and Transport is determined to establish alongside other MRT, including the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) so that people are moved safely and efficiently and they can save time and other commuter-related costs,” said PS Daghar.
By Sadik Hassan
