The notorious Nairobi traffic jams could soon be a thing of the past as developments in the railway system takes shape. Yesterday, Kenya Railway Corporation opened the new connection line to the newly refurbished Syokimau sub station.

The new line, the first one built by Kenya since 1945, will ease traffic on Mombasa road where up to 20, 000 commuters will be served by the line. This is the corporation's line of developing upgraded commuter train systems that will connect the Central Business District to many estates in the city.

The new railway line has been built at a cost of Sh200 million and is expected to be operational by August this year with the railway corporation refurbishing its coaches and upgrading train engines to work effectively.

Currently, the daily commuter train serves about 50, 000 commuters everyday, operating on a one way railway which limits the number of trips a train can make on one route. The commuter service operated by Rift Valley Railways serves Nairobi-Kikuyu, Nairobi-Ruiru, Nairobi-Athi River and Nairobi Embakassi routes.

The company charges Ksh. 40 on the Kikuyu route,  Ksh. 60 on the Ruiru route, Ksh. 50 on the Athi River route, and Ksh. 40 on the Embakassi route. Matatus charge an average of Ksh. 70, Kshs. 100, Kshs. 80 and Kshs. 60 on the Kikuyu, Ruiru, Athi River and Embakassi routes respectively during peek hours.