The long awaited launch of the first phase of Nairobi Commuter Rail Transport was unveiled on Tuesday, 13 November 2012, marking a milestone in Kenya’s strides towards realizing its Vision 2030. In as much as the launch was welcomed by most Kenyans, fares attached to the commuter train weren't what most had expected.

According Kenya Railways, a single fare during peak hours is KES 120 while during off peak hours are KES 110. Return fares can go as high as KES 220 while NCR Card holders will spend KES 100 for single fare or KES 200 for return fare.

These are some of the responses we recieved in regard to the fares:

In as much as the rail would cut on travel time, the real question is, how economical is the fare?

According to a press release issued by Kenya Railways fuel and parking costs of travelling by road stand at KES 450. Assuming one buys a City Council of Nairobi parking ticket at KES 140, it would mean they spent KES 310 on fuel alone commuting using the road.

Parking and a two way ticket using rail cost KES 300. Comparing the two, motorists will save KES 150 each day using the rail as compared to using the road.

According to the Daily Nation some motorists spend approximately KES 600 to fuel, park and pay for wear and tear on a vehicle driving into the city centre everyday. Another advantage is the elimination of having to spend time and fuel searching for parking space in the CBD. According to propertykenya.com, at ten o'clock in the morning motorists spend several minutes, if not hours, on end in search of parking space in Nairobi’s CBD.

Syokimau Railway Station has 3,000 parking spaces. If you want to leave your car at home but still use the train, you will soon be able to catch Public Service Vehicles (PSV) that will drop you railway station. Kenya Railways will soon partner with selected PSV operators to provide Rail Connect Services to deliver passengers to Syokimau among other areas. Similar services will be provided from Nairobi Central Station to various areas in the city such as Upperhill, Westlands and Hurlingham.

One disadvantage to motorists, who choose to use the service, is the fact that you will be bound to the train schedule. Meaning if you want to leave the CBD in evening, you will have to either take the 5.20 pm or 8.45pm train after which train services for the day will be over.

The train fares are, higher than fare charged by PSVs. On average it can cost beet KES 50 to 70 using a PSV during peak hours as opposed to the KES 120 charged for a one way rail trip to the CBD during peak hours. Off-peak PSV fares can drop to as low as KES 30 as opposed to KES 110 charged by Kenya Railways during off-peak hours.

The Syokimau Rail Service is a KES 400 million project, perhaps an explanation to why Kenya Railways opted for the amount it charges for use of the service. In as much as this is the case, the fares haven’t been received well by some Kenyans.

Subsidized Fares

This question then comes up, should the government subsidize commuter railway fares to make the service more affordable to the average Kenyan?

According to fleminggulf.com, commuter railways always require a subsidy. Developed countries such as Russia have, for longest time, subsidized commuter railways transport. In 2000, long distance passengers, in Russia, only paid 55 percent of the cost while commuter train passengers paid 15 percent of the costs. Such subsidies are in place to give as many people, especially lower income earners, affordable transportation costs. If the same was to be applied, it would mean one would pay KES 18 for a one way ticket during peak hours. KES 18 is 15 percent of what Kenya railways currently charges for using the commuter train.

In as much as this would make the service more affordable, it means that the taxpayer would have to pay more to subsidize the service. The wider question is who should the commuter, or the taxpayer?