The federal government has launched an electronic ticketing system for its Lagos to Ibadan and Itakpe to Warri railway lines.
The ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and Transportation, the electronic ticketing is a concession entered by two companies to last for ten years.
The statement also said the minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, who performed the launch assured Nigerians of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring safety of the travellers, while improving the nation’s internally generated revenue.
The new online ticket purchasing system is programmed to allow a registered passenger, secure additional two tickets for other intending travellers.
According to him, “The essence of E-ticketing is to make it easy for our passengers to buy tickets, for security purposes and to stop ticket racketeering”.
He revealed that the e- ticketing platform would take effect from November 1st, 2023.
On his part, the managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okharia, stated the initiative to increase revenue generation for the country.
“I am so happy about this project, apart from the fact that e-ticketing will end issues of ticket racketeering, it will also increase the revenue from the routes.
“Already for the last one week, revenue on Warri-Itakpe has increased from N3 million to N4 million and will even further increase” he stated.
The contract for the E-ticketing of the rail routes was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) early in 2023 at the cost of N1.96 billion for both companies.