2,000 commuters stranded as computerised train system fails

More than 2,000 commuters were yesterday forced to seek alternative means of transport after the newly computerised train system failed abruptly.

The disruption marked a bad start of the week after the Valentine’s holiday weekend for thousands who rely on trains to go to work.

Most affected areas were Syokimau, Imara Daima, Makadara, Kikuyu, Kibera, Embakasi and Ruiru.

Passengers arrived at the stations as early as 6am only to be turned away by Kenya Railways Authority officers who cited a technical hitch for the suspension of services.

A commuter, Judith Kwamboka, said she had been inconvenienced by the suspension: “We pay for the commuter cards. Who is going to compensate us for the mess? It is wrong,” she said. The situation forced the commuters to seek alternatives on the roads, leading to heavy traffic jams on major routes. The problem is said to have started at midnight and extended to the morning.

A notice at the Makadara Station scribbled by hand read: “Following the problem of ATW (Automated Train Warrant) being down, all commuter trains have been cancelled from running. We apologise for the inconvenience.”

According to an administrator who requested anonymity at the Syokimau Station, the break down could have been caused by power outages.

“This made the Operating Board Computer (OBC) system which is internet managed to go down, hence all trains including those ferrying cargo were disabled. I had no prior information either until 5am when I arrived at work. I was forced to inform some of our customers on what had transpired,” he said. He added that the OBC system, which was installed six months ago was designed for safety purposes as it also works as a trouble shooter by detecting inefficiencies in the system.

Recently, there was train drivers lost control of a locomotive in Ruiru and jumped out, leaving it to “drive itself”.

The train was returning to Makadara station from Ruiru when the engine developed mechanical problems. “It seems like the engine’s brakes failed and they could not control it,” said an official from the Rift Valley Railways.

The country is currently constructing the over Sh400 billion standard gauge railway to improve transport infrastructure connectivity.

The project has been heavily criticised by economists who argue that the Government should have upgraded existing transport systems, including the railway network before launching new projects.