Commuters living along Mombasa road will soon get a break from the long hours they spend in traffic when the new developments in the railways system are finished. The upgrade plans to make standard gauge rail lines to handle high speed trains and refurbished coaches and engines looked on course when Finance Minister Njeru Githae allocated Ksh. 1.45 billion towards the development.

"To continue with the programme to modernize commuter railway started two years ago, I have allocated Ksh.1.45 billion toward completion of the line linking the Airport to Central Railway Station. This first phase of our commuter rail upgrade project will enable our international guests and city residents commuting through Mombasa road to access a faster and affordable and more comfortable commuter rail services." Finance Minister Njeru Githae said.

Kenya Railways Corporation has plans to upgrade all current commuter routes and develop new routes to most city estates. When complete, this will reduce over reliance on matatus. The public vehicles have no standard time and fare which has always subjected commuters to uncertain expenditure on the monthly transport item.

Among the routes to be upgraded include Nairobi-Ruiru, Nairobi-Kikuyu, Nairobi-Athi River, Nairobi-Embakasi and the direct high-speed line to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.