Good news for SGR users as ticketing gets fully automated

Commuters using the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train service between Nairobi and Mombasa will no longer be required to travel to the station to change their travel plans starting June 1.

This is after Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) which operates the SGR passenger train christened Madaraka Express, developed an online system that will see users cancel their tickets or change their travel itinerary.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, the corporation's acting managing director Philip Mainga said the new system will come as reprieve to passengers who were initially forced to travel to the SGR stations in Nairobi or Mombasa in-case they wanted to change their travel plans.

“Passengers will now have an option for online cancellation of tickets, refund and rescheduling their travel diary at the comfort of their homes using phones or computer,” said Mr Mainga.

According to the corporation’s boss requests for rescheduling and refunds will be accepted 48 and 72 hours before time of travel for individuals and groups respectively.

He explained that the train service has gained popularity as a preferred mode of transportation between the two cities, revealing that apart from locals, the number of foreigners using the service has increased.

“We had to upgrade our systems to suit the ever changing customer needs and demands. As a corporation our goal is to offer world class service and experience to our customers,” said the acting MD.

The announcement by KRC comes months after its SGR trains service was listed among the world’s top thirteen best rail tours for 2019.

An article published by The Telegraph in February ranked the SGR which snakes through some of the best national parks in the country, seventh out of 13 remarkable rail journeys in the globe.

“The new standard-gauge railway between Mombasa and Nairobi provides the link between the coast and Amboseli and Tsavo West national parks,” reads the article in the UK publication, in part.