Passengers arriving in Mombasa via the Madaraka Express will soon enjoy faster, cheaper, and more convenient transfers into the city centre, as Kenya Railways nears completion of the long-awaited Mombasa Commuter Rail service.
The new commuter line will link the Miritini Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus directly to the Mombasa Central Business District (CBD), ending years of dependence on matatus, taxis, and boda bodas to cover the final 11-kilometre stretch.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Kenya Railways said the upcoming service will significantly ease travel for families, tourists, traders, and students, while reducing traffic congestion and lowering transport costs in the coastal city.
“No more long, costly transfers from Mombasa Terminus. This service will ensure easier movement for all—families, tourists, traders, and students,” the statement read.
Describing the project as more than just a transport upgrade, the agency called it “a win for the people of Mombasa and all Kenyans who travel by railway,” adding that the “countdown to launch has begun.”
The Mombasa Commuter Rail project is part of Kenya Railways’ broader plan to enhance urban mobility and integrate railway infrastructure with local public transport systems. Modeled on the successful Nairobi Commuter Rail network, the Mombasa version will run multiple daily trips between Miritini and the old Mombasa railway station, with planned stops at key urban points.
Ongoing works include upgrading platforms, installing modern ticketing systems, and testing refurbished Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains that will serve the route.
Though an official launch date has not yet been announced, Kenya Railways says the project is in its final stages. Once operational, the service is expected to boost local tourism and trade by making movement in and out of the city more efficient, affordable, and reliable.
