Commuters using the Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger train will pay Ksh.20,000 for a return premium class ticket, the Transport Ministry has announced.

A one-way ticket on the deluxe coaches will meanwhile set one back Ksh.12,000.

Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar on Monday received four soon-to-be-launched coaches from China at the Mombasa port.

Among the features of the executive coaches are a lactation station and baby changing rooms.

Passengers get electrical recliner seats which can also rotate for one to choose the direction they wish to face while travelling. They also feature both cable and wireless charging points.

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) says one of the coaches set aside for the elderly and people with disabilities is equipped with roomier toilets and assistive equipment.

At the same time, Kenya Railways has given economy-class coaches a refresh in sitting arrangement.

While previously travellers sat facing each other, the new layout will see passengers in both columns facing either the departing station or the destination station.

Passengers will also get four charging stations per seating arrangement, a baby-changing area, foldout tray tables and seat pockets.

At the same time, KRC has acquired a new power car capable of carrying 20 coaches to address the increasing demand for SGR services.

“We assure you of safety, comfort, and seamless travel with our newly introduced premium class,” PS Daghar said, “We have been struggling with the demand, but with this new power car, we can meet the capacity to carry more passengers between Nairobi and Mombasa.”

Kenya Railways has since May 2017 offered first-class and economy options for its Nairobi-Mombasa trip. They cost Ksh.4,500 and Ksh.1,500 respectively.