KCCA, RVR to import high-tech passenger trains
Rift Valley Railways (RVR) Group C.E.O, Mr Carlos Andrade directing Kampala Capital City Authority’s Ms Jennifer Musisi how the computerised passenger train operates. This was during her benchmarking tour in Nairobi Kenya
KAMPALA. Rift Valley Railways (RVR) and Kenya Railways have expressed interest to assist Kampala Capital City Authority to establish high-tech passenger and cargo train to ease traffic and cargo transit within the city.
The computerised passenger train will also be installed with the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and will be faster than manually operated ones.
According to a statement from KCCA, the GPS will make it easier to monitor the train operations to enable tracking and detection of shortcomings such as accidents.
RVR Group C.E.O, Mr Carlos Andrade said the computerized trains will be a step forward in promoting efficient railway network and increase the daily haulages between Uganda and Kenya in the long run.
“Our main objective is to improve efficiency of the railway business by standardizing operations and increase market share for rail traffic so as to improve competitiveness of the northern corridor”, Mr Andrade said.
Mr Andrade made the remarks while showcasing to KCCA executive director Ms Jennifer Musisi and her envoy how the Kenyan computerized passenger train operates. This was in the city of Syokimau Kenya.
“An efficient commuter railway transport system is the most feasible and cost effective way of easing congestion and reducing traffic jams in the first growing cities,” Mr Andrade added.
Ms Musisi said the Kampala passenger train will start operating before end of this month as promised during the test driving on February 4. KCCA’s target is to transport at least 270 passengers daily during the first phase of the rail transport.
The first phase will start by operating along the Kampala-Namanve route and then to Luzira before being expanded to the rest of the country.
“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to implement this initiative as seen through our partnership with RVR,” Ms Musisi said.
KCCA estimates that once the passengers train starts, it will relieve the people of Kampala of the heavy traffic and enable others save some money as the train fares will be reportedly lower than commuter taxis.
On her benchmarking tour to Kenya, Ms Musisi was accompanied by the Uganda High commissioner to Kenya Ms Angelina Wapakhabulo, KCCA deputy director policy and advisory services Mr Charles Ouma and Mr Moses Atwine the Ag director physical planning.
