The SGR train. [Photo/ Courtesy]

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Following the tremendous success of the Madaraka Express train, Kenya Railways is now ready to launch the inter-county train service. 

The service, set to be launched next Saturday, will allow travelers to alight and board on the seven stations between Nairobi and Mombasa. Traveling in both directions, the train will supplement the existing Madaraka Express train, which has grown very popular since it was launched three weeks ago.

According to the Kenya Railways managing director, Atanas Maina, the inter-county train will take only five and a half hours between the two cities, despite the stops.

“We will have a train leaving Nairobi at 8am and another leaving Mombasa at the same time. The Mombasa train will stop along the stations, taking five and a half hours,” Mr Atanasi said, as quoted by Nairobi News.

Some of the locations where the train is expected to drop and pick passengers include: Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Miasenyi and Mariakani. Other stations along the way will be added in the coming months.

Travelers on economy class will pay Sh50 from Mombasa to Mariakani, Sh230 from Voi to Kibwezi, Sh160 from Athi River to Emali, Sh510 from Voi to Nairobi and Sh400 between Emali and Miasenyi.

Traveling using the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has become very popular with Kenyans, because it is the cheapest means of transport (Sh700) and takes a very short time — four and half hours.