Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | The SGR Premium Class Coach recently completed its final test ride, carrying a delegation of envoys from Nairobi to Mombasa in anticipation of the official launch of commercial services by President William Ruto next month.
As the first passengers to experience this luxurious service, the envoys were guided through standard security checks and ticketing procedures before boarding the SGR Premium Class Coach.
Each of the four SGR Premium Class Coaches, designed to accommodate 28 passengers, boasts adjustable seating and modern entertainment options, providing an elevated travel experience.
Throughout the 5-hour journey, passengers enjoyed fine dining services offered at intervals, further enhancing the comfort of the ride.
The movement of these coaches was meticulously tracked at the automated dispatch center located at the SGR Nairobi Terminus, ensuring a smooth and secure journey.
“The VVIP services experienced in these coaches are for marketing purposes for visiting high-profile dignitaries… The services here outmatch what they experience in developed countries. This will, in return, boost foreign exchange,” Sing’oei said.
However, the opulence of the SGR Premium Class Coach is reflected in its pricing, with a one-way ticket costing Ksh.12,000 and a return ticket priced at Ksh.20,000.
“It’s costly, yes, but look at the services provided. The entertainment, spacious adjustable seats, and fine dining services are top-notch—there’s value for money. There has also been a demand for VIP First Class coaches. Last year, we registered a staggering 2.5 million passengers,” a passenger Maingi said.
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“This is an experience only likened to what we go through in developed countries. Well done, Kenya—the ride was so smooth, and we were comfortable,” Botswana Ambassador to Kenya Ms. Sabdiyo Dido Bashuna said.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Hassan Wasswa Galiwango added: “Sometimes it’s how you arrive, not when you arrive. This is a major infrastructure that brings pride to a nation such as Kenya.”
The inaugural test ride of the SGR Premium Class Coach concluded at the Mombasa terminus after a 5-hour journey, with commercial services scheduled to begin in September.
