The long awaited launch of the first phase of Nairobi Commuter Rail Transport is finally here. The President is expected to officially open the Syokimau Commuter Railway Station, on Mombasa Road, this morning. This is the first station to be completed under the Nairobi Commuter Railway (NCR) project and comes more than 80 years after the last railway station was opened in Butere.

Syokimau Commuter Railway Station comes with modern amenities, ample and secure parking, Wi-Fi, restaurants and a schedule train service designed to ensure that you get to your destination in time.

According to Kenya Railways, it will take approximately 30 minutes to get to the city, using the commuter train, as opposed to spending 90 minutes commuting using Mombasa Road.

The train schedule is as follows:

From Syokimau to Nairobi

From Nairobi to Syokimau

Weekend (Saturday) 

Train fare will be based on peak and off peak times plus there will be special charges for NCR card holders. Seasonal tickets will be available. They will have a specified validity period and users will enjoy discounts.

Combo tickets will be available for commuters who will take up parking, train journey and other services, all in one ticket.

Fares will be charged as follows:

Kenya Railways will soon partner with selected Public Service Vehicles (PSV) operators to provide Railway Connection to deliver passengers to Syokimau Station from Syokimau area, Mlolongo, Athi River and Kitengela among other areas.

Similar services will be provided from Nairobi Central Station to various areas in the city such as Upperhill, Westlands, Hurlingham, etc. The Corporation is also undertaking the construction of other similar railway stations at Imara Daima and Makadara.

Imara Daima Station is expected to serve over 2,000 commuters a day and is expected to be complete by early 2013. It will have parking space for over 150 cars and targets commuters from Industrial Area, Embakasi and Mombasa Road.

Makadara Station is expected to be completed by mid-2013 and will serve over 5,000 commuters a day. It will have parking space for about 500 vehicles and targets commuters from Buruburu, Jogoo Road, Jerusalem, Jericho, Uhuru and Hamze among others.