Kenya's Madaraka Express: Railway boosts regional economy

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Moving to Kenya -- where the Madaraka Express is celebrating its first anniversary. The Chinese-funded railway line has spurred economic growth. It has also eased traffic congestion, providing a fast and reliable mode of transport between the capital, Nairobi, and the port city of Mombasa. CGTN's Robert Nagila reports.

"Do not cross the yellow line."

One by one, they show their tickets before stepping on board the Madaraka Express. In the past year, around 1.3 million people have taken this train

JAMES MACHARIA TRANSPORT CABINET SECRETARY, KENYA "Within a few months, because of demand outstripping supply, we had to increase the service by an extra train."

And it's carried more than 600,000 tons of cargo between the coast and the capital. The Standard Gauge Railway is the country's flagship infrastructure project, and a favourite among those who have travelled on it.

"I use it because of time, there is no traffic jam. When they say it is 6 hours between Mombasa and Nairobi it remains to be so."

"I took it because I want to reach Mombasa by about noon, finish my business and leave tomorrow morning."

"The convenience, the affordability and I think it is just a fun experience. We used to use the Train when we were young, it's something I like to relive."

The train she is referring to was the link built by the British more than a century ago. The new one is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative to connect markets across continents. It is smooth, and quiet, and it weaves its way through some of the prettiest countryside in Africa. And it's reliable.

Despite 5 stops at newly built modern stations, we cover the 480-kilometer ride to Mombasa in five and a half hours, the old train took almost three times as long.