Kenya Railways has dismissed reports on social media that it had witnessed a decline in the number of passengers using its transport services.
This is after a viral photo was circulated on social media on Friday depicting that the Madaraka Express couches were empty as bookings had declined.
In a rejoinder, Kenya Railways refuted the claims, asserting that the photo does not accurately reflect the current business situation.
“Kenya Railways has taken note of a picture doing its rounds on social media, of an empty coach indicating lack of passengers,” KR said in a statement.
“We wish to state that this picture is in no way a representation of the actual status of the Madaraka Express Service and bookings for travel are going on as usual,” the statement said.
KR reiterated their commitment to continue serving their customers, adding that it will do all it can to ensure that rail continues to remain the preferred mode of transport by Kenyans via the Madaraka Express Service.
This comes after the government revised rates for SGR tickets from January.
Kenya Railways company increased fares across all routes in the country by 50 per cent.
In the review, a passenger travelling to Mombasa is now paying Sh1,500 up from the previous Sh1,000.
For those who wish to travel with first class, they will now have to pay Sh4,500, up from Sh3,000.
“This increase is informed by changes in that energy and petroleum sector where prices of fuel have significantly increased thus increasing the cost of operations,” Kenya Railways said in a notice in November.
Passengers are now paying Sh1,430 from Athi River to Mombasa, Sh1,100 from Emali to Mombasa, Sh890 from Kibwezi to Mombasa and Sh440 from Voi to Mombasa.
In December, KR warned the public against fraudsters posing as its agents and purporting to sell SGR passenger tickets.
The organization alerted that these fraudsters are claiming to sell the tickets at inflated prices, higher than Kenya Railways' official ticket prices.
