Commuters of passenger trains on the Standard Gauge Rail, Madaraka express, will have to wait longer to book tickets online.
Managing Director Kenya Railways, Atanas Maina, said the online tickets will be available in the next two months due to delays in handover of the project and procured tickets that will take time to be sold out.
He said that Kenya Railways is working on an online purchase and payment system in order to improve efficiencies in the ticketing process. The online module will also incorporate use of mobile applications.
"It will take a month or two before we can offer online tickets targeting the masses. The tickets will also have a name and identification so that it will be easy to clear at the station," Mr Maina said.
Through online ticketing, passengers can book seats, buy and print out tickets, pay fares and receive invoices without having to visit a railway station.
The move to include passenger details is meant to address the issue of unscrupulous purchase and resale of tickets at a premium.
A racket had emerged where scrupulous individuals were purchasing several tickets and selling the Sh700 tickets for up to Sh1000.
"We have enhanced surveillance at the Termini and the security team is on ground to monitor any such occurrences and handle them appropriately," Mr Maina said.
Currently passengers are limited to M-Pesa and physical purchase of the tickets at the Mombasa or Nairobi terminals.
By August 1, the railway corporation also plans to roll out return tickets applicable for situations where the departure and return dates are within the seven day window.
Kenya Railways currently charges Sh700 for a ticket on economy one way between Mombasa and Nairobi and Sh3,000 for a first class ticket.
Mr Maina added that the railway will be operating an intercounty train in the morning and an express train in the afternoon.
The trains have been stopping only at Mtito Andei to allow for passage of the oncoming Intercity Train. But from August 1, stops at Voi in addition to a passenger stop at Mtito Andei will be introduced.
Operations at the remaining intermediate stations namely Mariakani, Miasenyi, Kibwezi, Emali, and Athi River will start once the operations of the County trains commence.
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The intercounty trains will charge varying fares depending on the destination of the passengers.
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