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Kenya's SGR Passenger Numbers see Increase as Uganda is yet to Start Construction

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By Rogers Wanambwa

KIU, Main Campus - As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is seeing a surge in passenger numbers, the latest September statistics show.

According to the latest data from Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), in September, 43,235 passengers used the train that operates between the capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa.

This was a rise compared to 32,641 in August and 19,502 in July, when the service was restored after it was postponed due to restrictions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earnings from the passenger service sat at USD 479,972 in September, up from USD 365,740 in August and USD 211,111 in July.

The increase in demand for the SGR transportation services stems from teams going for conferences on the Kenyan coast which have picked up as companies resume normal operations. 

The tonnage of cargo ferried by the SGR train in September stood at 369,246 tons, a slight fall from 414,775 in August.

Similarly, from the year began, the train service, operated by a Chinese company, has transported 3.12 million tonnes of cargo, according to KRC.

As it is, Uganda is yet to start construction of its side of the Standard Gauge Railway.