Importers, car dealers and even holidaymakers can now move vehicles between Mombasa, Nairobi and Naivasha by train after Kenya Railways launched a dedicated vehicle freight service on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

The first consignment arrived at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot on Friday, October 30, marking the start of commercial operations after trials that began last year.

Six cars per wagon, eight hours to Nairobi

The vehicles travel on specialised freight wagons, each carrying six cars. Kenya Railways says the trip from Mombasa to Nairobi takes about eight hours, compared with more than a day when vehicles are driven or trucked by road.

The inaugural load was moved in partnership with dealer Autobarn East Africa, which plans to transport about 700 vehicles a month from Mombasa to Nairobi on the service. People Daily reported that the first train carried 24 vehicles and that loading facilities had been set up in both cities.

Kenya Railways managing director Philip Mainga described the launch as a milestone. "These are very exciting times for the railway business in Kenya," he said.

He said vehicles moved by rail arrive clean and free of the dents and scratches common on long road trips, while taking car carriers and driven units off the highway.

Importers, regional buyers and holidaymakers targeted

The corporation is courting car dealers, importers, distributors and clearing agents, and has its eye on buyers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania who clear vehicles through Mombasa.

"We are calling on importers and clearing agents to work with us," Mainga said, adding that customers "can now explore rail as an option for moving their vehicles safely and efficiently."

Private motorists are also catered for. Families travelling to the Coast or Naivasha for the holidays can load their cars onto the train, travel by SGR passenger service and collect the vehicle on arrival, then use the same option for the return trip.

Road safety and costs

Mainga said the holiday option could reduce fatigue among drivers who would otherwise cover hundreds of kilometres on the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway, which could help cut road accidents during the festive season.

Kenya Railways has not yet published the tariffs or a fixed schedule for the service. The launch comes as the SGR fights for more cargo; global shipping firm CMA CGM also recently announced train services for Mombasa-Nairobi containers.

Photos: Kenya Railways/The Star (vehicles on SGR wagons); The Standard (Nairobi Terminus). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.