Kenya Railways has started carrying cars on the Standard Gauge Railway between Mombasa and Nairobi, Pulse Live Kenya reports. The first vehicle train left Mombasa Port on October 29. It reached the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Embakasi within eight hours.
The first consignment carried 21 vehicles on four specially built car-carrier wagons. The same train also hauled 34 flatbed wagons with shipping containers. Vehicle dealer Autobarn East Africa partnered with Kenya Railways on the first shipment. Each carrier wagon holds up to six cars. The wagons can take makes such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Mazda and Daihatsu.
Kenya Railways aims to move about 700 vehicles a month this way. Cars are loaded and secured before departure. The operator says this cuts the mileage and wear a car picks up on the road. Owners of imported vehicles can also get insurance, lashing and securing, and customs processing.
The service targets importers, clearing agents, car dealers and distributors who move stock in large batches. Vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators can also use it. Private motorists who want a car moved between Mombasa and Nairobi can contact Kenya Railways directly. It is a freight service only. Owners do not ride on the train with their cars and must travel separately.
Some details are still missing. Pulse Live Kenya notes that the eight-hour trip was the time for the first consignment, not a guarantee for future shipments. Kenya Railways has not published a standard price per vehicle or a weekly train schedule. The final cost may depend on the vehicle, the route, insurance and any extra services requested.
The railway operator says moving cars by rail can also ease congestion and wear on the busy Nairobi-Mombasa corridor. Customers can get rates, booking requirements and departure times from Kenya Railways at marketing@krc.co.ke.