More questions than answers about Ongata Rongai SGR station
The government is set to launch the second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to Suswa, a water project in Kimuka and an Inland Container Depot terminal in Maai Mahiu, but one terminal has left Kenyans wondering how beneficial it will be.
There are more questions than answers about the Ongata Rongai station after Kenya Railways on Wednesday released Madaraka Express Passenger Schedule for the Nairobi – Suswa train service.
According to Kenya Railways, the passenger line, which is expected to start operations on Thursday, will ferry travellers to only four of the 12 stations — Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Maai Mahiu and Suswa.
A trip from Rongai to Nairobi will cost passengers Sh100 on Economy Class and Sh200 on First Class. That is what has everyone scratching their heads.
And here is why. If a resident of Ongata Rongai decides to use it, he/she will be forced to connect three to four times – depending on where he/she lives – before getting to the CBD.
The station is not near residential areas and at the moment there are no matatus that ply that route.
Meaning that commuters will be forced to use boda bodas, then board the train, alight and either use the interlink train or matatu to get to the CBD.
Here are some of the reactions by Kenyans on Twitter.
Question is: Will it end in Nairobi Central station at CBD or Nairobi terminus in Syokimau? Clarification please
— Tommy kibet (@Tommykibet) October 15, 2019
Was this thought through? Who is it targeting? Nairobi SGR terminal is in Syokimau so it’s basically moving Rongai/Ngong folks to Syokimau – then what? Jioni the Rongai fellow takes a ma3 from town to Syokimau to board the 6:30pm train home? #somehumansarelimited
— WPK (@WPK11) October 16, 2019
Failed project….. I leave town by matatu to syokimau to take me to ngong or rongai… Only a mad man
— ???? ??????? (@EricAshanda) October 15, 2019
This is not helpful at all. Why take a train from rongai to syokimau for 23 minutes then take a matatu through Mombasa road to town for another 2 hrs….. Haisaidii Kitu ata kidogo….
— mkenya (@mkenya120) October 16, 2019
Leave town. Take 2 hrs to Ronga, then another 30 min train ride to Naivasha or wherever that station is. Take another 30 min to Naivasha town. Why the hustle? Watu wa Mazematic mko? This was just a HEIST.
— charles otieno (@Charsili) October 15, 2019