Concessionaire to run railway e-ticketing for 10 years – Minister

The just inaugurated railway e-ticketing service will be run by a concessionaire, SecureID Solutions, for 10 years, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said.

He said the online ticketing solution, which marked the beginning of automation of ticket sales in all major railway stations beginning with the Abuja-Kaduna train service, is a public-private partnership introduced to enhance efficiency and promote accountability.

The minister said the service valued at N900 million would be provided by the concessionaire and run for 10 years to enable the private firm to recoup its investment before reverting ownership to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The Federal Government has launched the e- ticketing solution in Abuja on Thursday following frequent complaints by train passengers bordering on allegations of ticket racketeering at the Abuja-Kaduna train stations.

Amaechi said the online e-ticketing “is in line with global best practice and will enhance efficiency, save time and promote accountability, while also reducing leakage and promoting economic growth.”

The Chairman of the NRC, Ibrahim Musa, said the e-ticketing solution had finally put an end to the persistent allegation of ticket racketeering at the train stations.

The Chief Executive Officer, Secure ID Solutions, Kofo Akinkugbe, said the inauguration of the service would lead to multi-model ticketing in public transportation, while allowing for passenger convenience, efficiency and accountability for operators.

She said the service would provide data for government in making better decisions that would enhance the operations of the country’s railways.

Kofo further stated that the e-ticketing solution after a successful pilot programme that was done last week had issued 25,000 tickets online.

She said the solution offered an increased customer experience such as convenient ticket purchase 24 hours a day, seat selection, secured online payments and no physical interaction.

Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, said the corporation would increase the Abuja-Kaduna train shuttle from eight to 16 and possibly commence hourly trip.

The online launch was witnessed by members of the NRC Governing Board and the Director Rail Transport Service, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mohammed Babakobi, who represented the Permanent Secretary.