A Sh2.5 billion budget for the upgrade of the Nairobi commuter railway network has been approved by the Cabinet.
The move is aimed at growing the use of railway transport in the capital city, discouraging personal cars and matatus.
The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) is set to advertise the tender for the railway track upgrade this month.
The corporation forecasts that passenger numbers will grow by up to 10 times from the current 13,000 per day after the upgrade.
Matatus account for 80 percent of public transportation and are a major cause of congestion, prompting investments in commuter rail to ease traffic jams.
Kenya Railways has been looking to expand its ‘’park and ride’’ concept, which was only implemented at a few stations like Syokimau and Imara Daima.
It involves motorists leaving their vehicles at the stations parking bays at a lower parking fee (about Sh100) and taking the trains to the city.
