Gare de l'Est, Kinshasa
The Gare de l'Est, also known as Kinshasa Est or Kinshasa Central Station (French: Gare centrale de Kinshasa), is a central railway station situated in the Gombe commune of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Positioned along the Matadi–Kinshasa Railway line, it functions as a pivotal transshipment point connecting the railway and the river. Managed by the Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (SCTP, formerly ONATRA), the station stands near Ngobila Beach at the Port of Kinshasa, fostering maritime links with Brazzaville, and is conveniently located close to SCTP buildings and the Ministry of Transport and Channels of Communication.
Gare de l'Est | |
|---|---|
| Terminus | |
A memorial at the station remembering those who died during the construction of the railroad | |
| General information | |
| Location | Boulevard du 30 Juin, Gombe, Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Owned by | SCTP |
| Line(s) | Matadi-Kinshasa Railway |
| History | |
| Opened | 1932 |
| Previous names | Léopoldville Est |
The Matadi-Kinshasa Railway line traverses through the city, tracing the path of the Ndjili River and, further upstream, the Lukaya River. This route circumvents the historic city from its eastern and southern flanks, ultimately reaching Kinshasa's central station. A deserted former track extends beyond Ngaliema Bay. Additionally, a route leads southeast from the central station to the Ndjili International Airport.