Road freight and cargo hauliers are set for a big challenge from their rail counterpart. This follows RVR's launch of the KES 18 billion upgrade project of the Kenya-Uganda railway line dubbed Lunatic Express on Tuesday August 7th 2012. The upgrade is expected to bring onboard more customers as it will encourage consistence and reliability in cargo delivery. Rail transport is currently the most convenient and cheap mode of moving bulky goods over land as compared to road.

According to a report by the Kenya Shippers Council (KSC), transporting a 20-foot container weighing 28 tonnes from Mombasa to Nairobi costs KES 109,200. Previously, rail cargo customers, who are mostly industry based, have suffered major delays as a result of derailments caused by worn out and poorly maintained tracks, thus the inefficiency.

The project which has received funding in form of loans from international Development Fund Institutions (DFIs) and  Equity Bank has kicked off.  The repairs will see trains take only 17 hours between Mombasa and Nairobi from the previous 27 hours. Compared to road, a truck takes 2 days from Mombasa to Nairobi hence the convenience. From Mombasa to Kampala, a distance of 1,140km, the average driving time is 16 hours while the actual truck time is 10 days. A train will take at least 3 days.

The project will also enhance speedy transport of passengers between various destinations within Kenya's rail network.