The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has revolutionized travel in Kenya, offering a modern and efficient rail service. One of the key aspects of this transformation is the ability to book tickets online via M-Pesa, providing passengers with a convenient and fast payment method.
In this article, we will delve into the details of the SGR online booking via M-Pesa charges, payment options, booking process, and ticket prices, offering a comprehensive guide for passengers looking to make their travel arrangements seamlessly.
Payment Options and Charges
When it comes to booking SGR tickets online via M-Pesa, passengers have the convenience of using their mobile phones to make secure payments.
However, it’s important to note that the charges for M-Pesa payments may vary depending on the service provider and the ticket price.
Some service providers may levy an additional fee for M-Pesa payments, while others might include the M-Pesa charges in the total ticket price. On average, the SGR online booking via M-Pesa charges approximately Ksh 18.
For group bookings of over 20 passengers, it’s essential to make the booking at least nine days prior to the travel date.
Additionally, when using a debit/credit card for payment, some service providers may charge an extra facilitation fee, encompassing money transfer fees between PayPal and M-Pesa, M-Pesa transaction fees, and their own service fees.
In the event of cancellation or rescheduling of SGR tickets, passengers should be aware that a 30% fee of the ticket cost will be applicable. This can be done over the counter at any of the SGR passenger service stations.
SGR Online Booking Process Via M-Pesa
The process of booking SGR tickets via M-Pesa is designed to be simple and user-friendly. Passengers can complete the entire process from the comfort of their home, office, or while on the go.
The steps involved are as follows:
- Dial *639#: To purchase a Madaraka Express ticket and pay via M-Pesa, simply dial *639#.
- Payment Confirmation: After making the booking, passengers are given a specific time frame to complete the payment. For example, passengers using the paybill transfer option are given at most 30 minutes to pay up, failing which the ticket will be canceled.
- Ticket Collection: Upon successful payment, passengers receive an SMS and/or email confirmation containing a unique code, which they can present to print the ticket on the date of travel.
SGR Online Ticket Prices
The ticket prices for the SGR train service are determined by the ticket category (e.g., First Class or Economy) and the type of train service (e.g., Express or Intercounty).
The SGR Train offers two ticket categories – First Class and Economy, each with different fare prices for the express service.
In addition to the ticket price, passengers may incur additional charges such as M-Pesa transaction fees, facilitation fees for card payments, and group booking requirements.
