An artist's impression of the BRT stations which will be part of the planned major upgrade of the road between JKIA, Likoni Road and James Gichuru Road. PHOTO | POOL
The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has reopened the Airport South Road that was closed in 2014, but restricted its use to bus rapid transport (BRT) buses that ferry passengers into the airport using a railway link from the city centre.
KeNHA director-general Peter Mundinia told the Business Daily on Tuesday that the express route will allow travellers easier access to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The five-kilometre Road starts from the Airport North Road overpass and stretches all the way to the Freight Terminal Road in Embakasi.
“It is only for use by BRT buses that ferry passengers who come from the city centre with Kenya Railways trains via Embakasi Village into the airport,” said Mr Mundinia Tuesday.
Kenya Railways, through the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service, on December 7 commissioned operations for the new railway link from the city centre to the JKIA that will cost passengers Sh500 for a 20-minute ride.
Transport secretary James Macharia, while commissioning the new link, said air travellers would now avoid the traffic snarl-ups on Mombasa Road.
The service will see passengers dropped at the Embakasi Railway Station from where a bus will pick and ferry them to the JKIA.
State officials reckon that Sh500 train ride is cheaper and faster than taxi services. The trains will operate throughout the day.
The launch of the JKIA Express Service follows the commissioning last month of the new Diesel Multiple Units by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who assured that the rail track will be extended to the airport.
No comments :
Post a Comment