Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train service has experienced a notable upswing in passenger numbers during the first quarter of this year, marking a 15.2 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022.

This surge in demand has contributed to a substantial rise in revenue for the service, according to an official report released by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on Monday.

Over the course of three months, the SGR's flagship train service, commonly known as the Madaraka Express, successfully transported a total of 597,506 passengers.

This figure represents a significant escalation from the 518,780 passengers recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The KRC's newly published report highlights this substantial growth in passenger volumes, indicating the railway's increasing prominence as a preferred mode of transportation.

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Notably, this increase in passenger numbers has translated into impressive financial gains for the SGR.

The service has reported a remarkable surge in revenue, reaching approximately Sh661 million (equivalent to about $4.58 million) in the first quarter of this year.

This figure marks a notable advancement from the revenue generated in the initial three months of 2022, which stood at about $3.9 million.

The commendable growth in revenue reflects the SGR's growing popularity and effectiveness in meeting the transportation needs of Kenyan citizens and visitors alike.