Kenya Railways has officially released a public notice regarding the impending fare adjustments across multiple train services.
The announced increase in prices is set to affect the Madaraka Express Passenger Service, Madaraka Express Commuter Service, Nairobi Commuter Rail Service, Kisumu Safari Train, and Nanyuki Safari Train.
"We wish to inform you that we have reviewed our prices upwards," the notice read.
The alteration in fare rates is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.
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According to the management's statement released on October 31, 2023, the decision to augment the fares is a direct result of significant shifts within the energy and petroleum sectors.
The surge in fuel prices has notably impacted the operational costs of the various railway services.
As a result, the adjustment in prices aims to offset the escalating operational expenses triggered by these sectoral changes.
The notice specifies that customers planning to purchase tickets in advance for the Madaraka Express Passenger Service will encounter adjusted fares starting from November 1, 2023.
This pre-implementation of adjusted prices for advance ticket purchases considers a window of 60 days for customers to obtain tickets ahead of their journey.
"The new fares come into effect on January 1, 2024. Customers making advance purchases for the Madaraka Express Passenger Service will notice the adjusted fares as of November 1, 2023 to take into account the advance ticket purchasing window of 60 days," the notice further stated.
The official statement concludes with an expression of gratitude towards the clientele, acknowledging and thanking them for their continuous patronage and support of Kenya Railways services.
This announcement serves as a pre-emptive measure by the railway authority to inform and prepare commuters for the forthcoming alterations in fare rates.
The move underscores the compulsion to adapt to the changing economic landscape driven by shifts in fuel and energy costs, thereby maintaining the sustainability and quality of the rail services in Kenya.
The adjustment is positioned as an essential step in managing the operational expenses and ensuring the continuity of the railway services across the aforementioned sectors.