Railway
Lagos-Ibadan train: NRC set to unveil e-ticketing concessionaire, gets ICRC nod
The Nigerian Railway Corporation in conjunction with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) is set to unveil a credible concessionaire that will manage the electronic ticketing solution for Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe trains.
Ahead of the unveiling of bidders for the project on Monday November 22, the ICRC on Friday presented the Outline Business Case (OBC) certificate for the proposed e-ticketing solution for the train services to the NRC.
The OBC certificate otherwise known as the Certificate of Compliance implies that the planned Public Private Partnership (PPP) project for the e-ticketing solution is bankable and commercially viable.
Acting DG of the ICRC, Mike Ohiani, presented the certificate to the NRC Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, at a ceremony held in Lagos.
The NRC had earlier through an advertisement invited prospective bidders for the design, build, operate and transfer of e-ticketing solution for the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe standard gauge services.
Okhiria said the introduction of e-ticketing earlier on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service had improved revenue generation.
He said, “Sometimes ago, we introduced the e-ticketing on Abuja-Kaduna train service and the benefits of it have been an eye-opener. And apart from the benefits to the users, the NRC and the government are also reaping from the e-ticketing.
“I am proud to say that since the introduction of the e-ticketing, the revenue has gone up drastically either by encouraging users to use the train or if there were leakages, at least, they have been blocked somehow and the fear of ticket racketeering has also reduced by introducing the e-ticketing and its technology. It cannot be perfect in one day; we are also reviewing it on a daily basis, on a weekly basis, on a monthly basis and trying to improve on what we are doing. That exercise covers Abuja-Kaduna train operation.
“Now that we have introduced new trains and we have introduced new routes, we believe we should do them separately so that we don’t put our eggs in one basket. As a result of that we approached the ICRC with a business case; it went through several reviews and we are happy today that they are officially presenting the Outline Business Case certificate that enables us to advertise the project of the secure ticketing solution.
“That would bring smiles to the people using Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri train services because at the comfort of their homes, they can plan their programmes; buy their tickets and they don’t need to come to the stations to buy tickets and it will reduce the pressure on our staff in trying to control the crowd at a particular time.”
The Acting DG of ICRC stated that there was the need to shore up the revenue of the Federal Government to justify the infrastructural revolution of President Muhammadu Buhari whom he described as an Infrastructure President.
He said, “ICRC is the agency of the Federal Government set up to midwife and drive all PPP projects in the country. We provide regulatory oversight.
“As a result of that, the NRC approached us with this project, the e-ticketing in respect of Ibadan standard gauge services and Warri-Itakpe for the e-ticketing. We want to commend the efforts of the NRC for the good job they are doing, as well as the Ministry of Transportation.
“The essence of this project, the overall scope of both projects is for design, finance, build, operate and manage secure e-ticketing solution hardware and software for passenger station in Lagos-Ibadan standard train service and Warri-Itakpe.
“The e-ticketing solution will make travelling experience for passengers very easy. As the MD has rightly stated, in the comfort of your home, you would be able to obtain tickets. It will also provide security services, in the sense that before you buy the ticket, the passengers’ luggage would have been scanned. It will provide efficiency. You know we are living in a challenging situation in order to secure all the facilities, that is part of what the e-ticketing is designed to do.
“It will also increase revenue generation through reduction of fraud, fare evasion as well as increasing fare purchase option for teeming clients. Overall the solution is proposed for a secured seamless ticketing system on the routes earlier on stated.
“The Federal Government is expected to, through the NRC, generate N12.4bn in four years for Lagos-Ibadan and N9.6bn for Warri-Itakpe within the period under review. We are here this morning to present the certificate showing that the project is bankable.
“Then we will go into the next phase. As the MD has rightly stated, starting from Monday where we will secure a credible concessionaire that would manage the e-ticketing solution. That is the essence of our being here. We want to thank you people and we want to assure Nigerians that once this project is concluded, you get efficient services. There would be improvement and no time wasting for the passengers, this we can guarantee you.”
Railway
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) trains are included in the Federal Government’s free train ride initiative for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The LRMT, which currently includes the Phase 1 Blue Line Rail and the Phase 1 of the Red Line Rail, operates under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
This announcement was made by Ben Iloanusi, the Acting Managing Director of the NRC, during an interview on NTA News TV on Friday, following the launch of the initiative earlier that day.
While Iloanusi stated that Phase 1 of both the Blue Line and Red Line Rail projects are part of the program, LAMATA has yet to confirm this inclusion.
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Iloanusi outlined the other routes benefiting from the scheme, which include the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit in Lagos. Notably, little was previously known about the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit service until this disclosure.
“Let me mention the routes where this free train service is happening. We have the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, we have the Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, we have the Warri-Itakpe Train Service, we have the Lagos Rail Mass Transit trains, we have the Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and we have what we call the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit, which is also in Lagos,” he stated.
Iloanusi provided operational updates, stating that passengers nationwide can access free tickets online or, for those unable to do so, at train stations where they will be profiled and validated.
He noted that passengers using NRC-managed services (excluding the Lagos Rail Mass Transit) should reserve tickets via the official website, www.nrc.gov.ng, with a valid ID required. He also advised travelers to plan, arrive on time, and bring valid identification.
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
Railway
NRC announces special Xmas, end-of-year train service
NRC announces special Xmas, end-of-year train service
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will operate an end of the year special train service on all its routes across the country.
It announced this in a statement on Wednesday by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, saying it was in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive through the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
It however did not indicate if the special train service would be free or not.
The Federal Government last year similarly declared special train services for Christmas and New Year, which were made free for all users.
The statement added the modality for this year’s special service would be released soon.
The latest statement read, “The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, hereby informs the general public that the NRC shall operate end of the year special train services in commemoration of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“This end-of-the-year special train service on scheduled passenger trains, is part of the government’s gesture towards an enjoyable end of the year celebration.
“Dates and modalities of the end-of-the-year Special Train Service shall be communicated in due course. We wish all our esteemed customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.”
Railway
FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC
FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC
The 62-kilometre, $3.02 billion Port Harcourt-Aba railway project has been completed by Federal Government and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
The Port Harcourt-Aba section is part of the larger Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern narrow gauge railway project, initiated under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The project supervisor, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Ayo Dada, formally transferred the railway to the NRC during a brief ceremony held on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
He said that the project, completed in May, had significantly improved passenger movement between Rivers and Abia, thereby enhancing their economies.
“The assets handed over include dismantled tracks measuring 283.060 km, rehabilitated and reconstructed 62.800 km of subgrade and the laying of 62.800 km of rail for the main line,” Dada said.
“This includes the laying of rail for sliding lines covering 5.690 km and the reconstruction of 27 sets of turnouts at Port Harcourt, Elelenwo, Obuzor, Umugo and Aba Stations, among others.”
Dada said that with the handover of the Port Harcourt–Aba section, the Federal Government would focus on the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri phase of the project.
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“The contractor has submitted the technical specifications and maintenance manual for the Port Harcourt–Aba section to the consultants.
“The ministry is committed to completing this project, which will foster national development,” he said.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Ben Iloanusi, commended the Federal Government and the ministry of transportation for the timely completion and transfer of the project.
Iloanusi, represented by the NRC Deputy Manager (Civil), Adesegun Ogunade, said that the railway had greatly benefited Nigerians seeking affordable transportation options.
“The rail line, now in operation, has started mitigating the impact of high transportation costs caused by economic challenges,” he said.
“Train services have been running for some time and passengers have reported that it has made commuting between Port Harcourt and Aba more convenient, faster and cheaper.
“People are already experiencing the benefits of this government’s policies and programmes.’’
He assured that the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri section would also be completed in due course, emphasising that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of workers and passengers.
FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC
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