Nairobi Commuter Rail Network | $107million | Approved

[kijana]

The model of the planned Nairobi railway station to be located on Mombasa road. East Africa Community has among other things asked the Chinese Government to help the region upgrade the railway network to the standard gauge



Minister urges China to help EAC develop

By KNAPosted Wednesday, January 5 2011 at 15:23

East African Community minister Hellen Sambili has urged the Chinese Government to offer financial and technical assistance to regional bloc members.

She said the states require China’s financial and technical help particularly in the development of the energy and rail transport sectors.

The minister said possible areas of partnership include development of renewable power generation projects such as geothermal and wind and cross border electricity interconnection.

She said that bloc was implementing the East African power master plan which recommends the establishment of a power pool noting that it had identified potential projects for joint promotion in a bid to improve reliability.

Prof Sambili said possible areas of engagement in petroleum industry include development of pipelines citing the proposed Dar es Salaam to Mombasa gas pipeline.

She said a feasibility study is being carried out adding that harmonisation of policy and legal regimes for petroleum exploration and production in EAC through technical support to the task force on the exercise is ongoing.

The minister spoke yesterday when she hosted a visiting Chinese delegation in her office.

The team was led by Prof Yang Jiemian, the president of Shanghai Institute for International Studies. He was accompanied by the Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan.

Regarding development of the railway lines, the minister said the network currently carries on average less that 10 per cent of the cargo hence over-burdening roads as it is on the narrow gauge system.

She said the community had resolved to upgrade the network from narrow gauge to standard gauge with the aim of improving its capacity by over 200 per cent.

Removal of non-tariff barriers

“The EAC Railways Master Plan estimates the total cost of upgrading the network to be $29 billion,” she said.

The minister called on the Chinese Government to partner with the EAC in upgrading the line as well as development of the new Lamu-Juba railway corridor.

Prof Sambili said other areas where the EAC could partner with China include the support on identification and removal of non-tariff barriers to trade, development of one-stop-border-posts where no funding is available especially Isebania and Taveta points.

Others are development of maritime transport within the lake Victoria Basin including dredging of the ports and technology transfer in agro-processing, and investment in value addition locally.

The minister asked the Chinese Government to help in the development of e-learning in local universities and other institutions of higher education saying China had a very developed ICT sector.

Prof Sambili said the Chinese Government had contributed greatly to the growth of the region’s economies particularly in road infrastructure.

She said its support has made the community to be one of the most ideal tourist and investment destinations on the continent.

Prof Jiemian said China and other emerging Asian economic giants such as Japan, Korea, India and Pakistan had recorded impressive development through investing heavily in the education of young people.

via daily nation

[JARIBU]

I have absolutely no faith in this outfit. Rebranding! And how many times has it rebranded itself - seven times with what results? Their mission statement and strategic plans sound great, but will they follow through? Here is a corporation that is spending time re-branding (and I assume re-tooling and moving into the 21st century) yet the latest performance figures they offer on their website is for 2005/6. Those figures show a declining outfit but they are quick to tell us in press releases that their financial outlook is better without offering proof. Here is an outfit that will rely on RVR to accomplish some of its objectives since it (RVR) has the right tools. Is this not the same RVR that has failed miserably since getting the concession? Is this not the same RVR that KRC was trying to wrestle the concession deal from a year ago? While I see plenty of progress in many sectors of government, this one is a den of jokers.

Originally Posted by kijana

KBC News


Kenya Railway rebrands

Written By:Kamau Mbote/Eugeniah Muguchu, Posted: Thu, Dec 09, 2010

Kenya Railway Corporation Thursday re-branded with the promise of a new better and more efficient services in the sector.

KRC Managing Director Nduva Muli says the re-branding exercise comes in the wake of major plans by the corporation to implement major projects which include the construction of a modern standard gauge track and a new commuter rail system.

The corporation also got a new look following the unveiling of a new logo and corporate slogan. The projects that are expected to cost hundreds of billions will be financed through a public private partnership.

The modern standard gauge railway line alone will cost 400 billion shillings while the projected infrastructure cost for commuter railway transport will cost 16 billion.

At the completion of the Nairobi commuter system rail the number of passengers transported by train is expected to be 60 million annually while the number of hours used to transport cargo between Mombasa and Nairobi will reduce to 4-6 hours.

The country's oldest brand which has been in existence for over 144 years re branded for its 7th time since inception with the message of a new dream that will revolutionize the country.

Muli said the re-branding also marks the turnaround the corporation has made in the last four years from an unprofitable organization to one that is now self sustaining.

Under the rebranding programme, KRC will adopt a new logo and slogan while its activities will take a new identity that highlight and reflect the new KRC brand values.

" Our fresh efforts to be a world class provider of rail and inland waterways transport will be complemented and enhanced by the brand values that we have restated today," said Muli.

The greatest achievement would be connecting Lamu through central Africa to Doula that will reduce shipping cost and the overall cost of commodities.

[jayc8301]

Does anyone know when the station will start being built? they said beginning of January, aaaaaaaiiiiiii!

[Kenguy]

Originally Posted by jayc8301

Does anyone know when the station will start being built? they said beginning of January, aaaaaaaiiiiiii!

Tutangoja tu...as usual.

[jayc8301]

Originally Posted by Kenguy

Tutangoja tu...as usual.

Apparently, it turns out KRC was talking but not walking. They hadn't presented the environmental impact assessment report to NEMA. Since the report needs to sit with NEMA for at least 30 working days before approval, the construction can only start at the earliest in February (KRC handed the EIA report on 27th December).

However, Nduva Muli claims that they have even handed over the site to El Noor Construction, so lets hope it starts mara hio hio when NEMA gives a go-ahead. Apparently also, the JKIA line and station are not being done this year but are waiting for the budget 2011/2012. Damn! I so wanted to ride the train from JKIA


http://allafrica.com/stories/201012280114.html

[jayc8301]

For any techies interested, I have found out that the actual location for the railway station is LR No. 7135/16 at an altitude of 1632 m a.s.l., and is located between latitudes 1°21'31" and 1°21'40" South and longitudes 36°54'26" and 36°54'16" East.

Thus you can keep track of construction via satellite

[acreed79]

National environmental management authority did receive the EIA report and as per the law posted it in the local newspapers on January 2nd for public discourse. If no complaints are received as expected then work will start at the end of December as stated. The contractor is on site pending the outcome of this public discourse period.

[kijana]

December!! wow, why wait so long if there is no complaints

[acreed79]

Originally Posted by kijana

December!! wow, why wait so long if there is no complaints

My fault I meant end of january

[èđđeůx]

end of january, january 2011?

[jayc8301]

Originally Posted by èđđeůx

end of january, january 2011?

Hopefully, they´ll begin by the end of January 2011. Hopefully! Coz that is when NEMA is expected to give authority to proceed.

[Kenguy]

Thought I should post this here. (Originally posted by popa1980 in the general forum)

Nairobi — A rail operator will manage the proposed commuter railway service in Nairobi and its environs once it gets going.

The Kenya Railways Corporation and InfraCo Africa Ltd, a donor-funded privately managed infrastructure development firm, has advertised an international tender in the Economist.

The Nairobi Commuter Rail Service is a public-private partnership between the State-owned Corporation and InfraCo, aiming to decongest city traffic.

"InfraCo Africa and KR are seeking an experienced rail operator to be the contract operator upon entry into service of the upgraded commuter rail system," the partners say in the tender calling for Expression of Interest.

The system is expected to comprise 10-15 commuter train sets operating over four lines, one of which will be a new express link to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from the Nairobi Central (Railway) Station.

The successful operator is expected to have technical and operational resources.

"We want to incorporate the operator from the word go so that we don't have a situation where once we bring an one on board (later), he or she starts saying the system can't work or technically he or she will lose money," KR managing director, Nduva Muli, told the Nation on Thursday.

Construction of a modern train station at Syokimau on Mombasa Road by El Noor Construction at a cost Sh250 million, which is the first phase of the ambitious railway service, has started.
The phase, which was allocated Sh600 million in the 2009/10 budget, will rehabilitate approximately 160km of the existing rail within Nairobi.

"We are about to tender for other stations," Mr Muli said.

The project will also construct about 7km of a new track to JKIA's Unit 3, and the rehabilitation or construction of stations along the network.

It was allocated Sh1.9 billion in the 2010/11 budget.

The entire project, estimated to cost Sh24 billion on completion, is expected to link the city centre with outlying towns of Thika, Limuru and Athi River/Lukenya.

Conceived in 1992 following a strike by matatu operators, the project begun in April 2009 when the corporation signed a joint development agreement with InfraCo.

Is there anyone around Syokimau who can confirm the station is being built?

[ernestombayo7]

That's great news.Hopefully pictures of the construction will surface.

[jayc8301]

This is a map of the current and existing railway lines. Deadlines of 2012 for refurbishment of existing lines and building the new JKIA line and 2017 for new lines.

One thing I wonder though, is whether they will they have dual lines or keep the current single line system. Don't want to imagine two opposing trains on a single line. Reminds me of those dumb Maths questions about train A and B.

Secondly, have they actually begun building the Syokimau station? Any pics?

Thirdly, and this is a bit far-off, any idea of possible procedures for charging customers? Will they have manambas on the trains? I mean, most systems operate on trust and random checks to keep commuters paying but I somehow don't see that working in Nairoberry

[ernestombayo7]

Originally Posted by jayc8301

This is a map of the current and existing railway lines. Deadlines of 2012 for refurbishment of existing lines and building the new JKIA line and 2017 for new lines.


One thing I wonder though, is whether they will they have dual lines or keep the current single line system. Don't want to imagine two opposing trains on a single line. Reminds me of those dumb Maths questions about train A and B.

I have checked most of the articles on this project and there is no mention whether it will be a dual line or single line.If its a single line,then what they could do is create a sort of interchange at the station in syokimau or embakasi,and time the trains so that they both get to this interchange at the same time.Therefore train A which is coming from the city centre towards jkia,stops an waits for train B which is coming from JKIA at the interchange.Once they are both at the interchange station,they are both divided/diverted to parallell lines to avoid colliding.Once they go past each other,the parallel lines merge back to the original single line,then the trains continue on towards their respective destinations.

This system can be automated.For example,let us say Train B from the airport has already reached the interchange and train A from the city centre has not, a switch or control centre which uses some sort of signal system to detect which train has arrived and which has not,can be installed and thus shut down the train or stop it from going further,until a signal from train A which is coming from the city centre has been detected.

This is just a rough idea,i am not even sure whether it can work,but why not?The problem ofcourse is,when it comes to having multiple trains.eg 3 or more trains.The switching system becomes more complicated,and timing becomes essential to avoid massive congestions with stalled trains waiting for other trains.Ultimately,the best way is to build double or dual lines.

[Kenguy]

Got this off the InfraCo Africa website.

KENYA - Nairobi Commuter Rail Project

InfraCo is working with Kenya Railways to develop the Nairobi Commuter Rail Project. The Project will involve the rehabilitation of approximately 160 km of the existing rail system within Nairobi, the construction of 5-7 km of new track to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and the rehabilitation or construction of stations and other facilities along the network. The Project will expand social and economic opportunities for all residents, introducing modern efficient equipment and reducing congestion in and around Nairobi.

Location of Project
KenyaNairobi

Statement of project objectives

Primary economic benefits

The Project will replace the existing inefficient rail, signaling equipment, stations and locomotive-hauled coaches with modern and efficient rail infrastructure and passenger coaches with Multiple Unit technology, which is more suited to commuter rail operation.
The Project will provide a link to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to enable smooth and rapid transit between the airport and the Nairobi Central Business District, further cementing Nairobi as the commercial hub of East Africa.

Primary social benefits

The Project will provide dependable transport services allowing residents of Nairobi to commute to and from work reliably, and open up new opportunities for employment and housing for all its users, including lower-income residents of Nairobi

Approximate scope of project

Cost: US$ 175-200 Million
Time: 18 months construction, 30-50 years operation

Partners
Kenya Railways Corporation

Partner in charge
Gad Cohen

http://www.infracoafrica.com/project...airobirail.asp

[Kenguy]

Im curious about the type of multiple unit passenger coaches they intend to use. I hope its Diesel Electric (DEMU's).

[pmwathi]

Originally Posted by ernestombayo7

I have checked most of the articles on this project and there is no mention whether it will be a dual line or single line.If its a single line,then what they could do is create a sort of interchange

Knowing us (Kenyans), it will most likely be single. But we should be at peace coz we do not expect more than 1 train on the tracks initially.

[ernestombayo7]

Originally Posted by pmwathi

Knowing us (Kenyans), it will most likely be single. But we should be at peace coz we do not expect more than 1 train on the tracks initially.

It will be very inefficient to have 1 train and hence beat the purpose of "getting to the airport faster".Once you miss the train at the city centre,you could wait for close to 30 minutes for the train to come back.Because the train has to go to JKIA,drop people off then turn back.

Here in UK trains to heathrow come in between 5 to 10 minutes intervals.

[jayc8301]

Originally Posted by ernestombayo7

It will be very inefficient to have 1 train and hence beat the purpose of "getting to the airport faster".Once you miss the train at the city centre,you could wait for close to 30 minutes for the train to come back.Because the train has to go to JKIA,drop people off then turn back.

Here in UK trains to heathrow come in between 5 to 10 minutes intervals.

Well, one thing I am wondering, will the number of commuters justify having a frequency of like one train every ten minutes and as many trains that KRC claims they will have on the line? After all, Heathrow has 65 million passengers a year, JKIA has only 4 million a year.

I think one train an hour would actually be sufficient. One given that there aren't that many passengers going on that route and also given that still, having the train would take out the problem of traffic jams, as I am assuming they will have an elevated railway crossing across Mombasa Rd.

The jams are really the main issue vis-a-vis going to the airport. And in any case if you are catching a flight, you need to plan to be in the airport in advance anyway, so you should know what time the train runs