The federal government launched an e- ticketing system for passengersn electronic ticketing system for passengers traveling along the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri/Itakpe rail routes.
Senator Sa’idu Alikali, the Minister of Transportation, conducted the official launch in Abuja, underscoring that the project would commence operations on November 1 along the specified rail corridors.
He unveiled two concessionaire companies: Global Software and Digital Solutions for Lagos-Ibadan and Fane Ticketing Solution for Warri/Itakpe. The concession period will extend for ten years, guaranteeing efficient and uninterrupted services.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating ticket racketeering, aiming to restore passengers’ confidence in the rail service’s security. The introduction of the e-ticketing system is a crucial step to eliminate corruption in the system and ensure the protection and inclusion of all Nigerian citizens when using the rail service.
Fidel Ohiria, the Managing Director, expressed confidence in the e-ticketing companies due to their solid reputations. He reassured the public that the two companies have already launched promotional campaigns to inform passengers about the new innovation on the country’s busiest railway routes.
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Past experiences with ticket racketeering have resulted in disciplinary actions, including dismissals and suspensions for those involved.
Oyekola Adewumi, CEO of the ticketing solutions, a concessioner for the Itakpe/Warri corridor, assured the Federal Government of professional conduct. His system is designed to provide the Nigerian public with the services they require, including robust record-keeping and identification of individuals engaged in ticket racketeering. To combat fraud, the system will require Nigerians with National Identification Numbers (NIN) to obtain tickets for proper identification, and it can track individuals who purchase tickets but do not use them, subsequently blacklisting them.
Pushkah Nanda, the Vice-President of Sales for Software and Digital Solutions, responsible for the Lagos/Ibadan corridor, explained that their system would initially operate using point-of-sale (POS) technology for data capture. However, it will transition to a full-fledged e-ticketing system by the end of November.
The menace of ticket racketeering within the rail service has allowed unscrupulous individuals to profit at the expense of unsuspecting passengers. The introduction of this e-ticketing system aims to eliminate such practices and ensure a smoother, more secure travel experience for all.
