Updated: FG Launches Abuja-Kaduna train E- ticketing App

BY Victoria Ogunrinde

The Federal Government on Thursday launched the Train Electronic Ticketing App for the Abuja-Kaduna train stations, thus enables the purchase of ticket easier as passengers can now book their tickets from the comfort of their homes.

Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi while speaking in Abuja said, the app will help boost convenience, efficiency and accountancy.

“It is my believe that deploying the ticket solution is in line with world best practice and will enhance efficiency, save time and promote accountancy while also reducing leakages and promoting economic growth,” he said.

Amaechi who purchased a ticket via the web method at the event said “Today marks the beginning of the automation of ticket sales in all our major stations on the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

“This is a total package that also includes Access control which will be deployed subsequently,” he added

The minister however noted that the project which is a Public Private Partnership is a product of over three years of rigorous procurement process and due diligence involving the ICRC, NITDA and approval from the Federal Executive Council.

On the issues of Covid-19, Amaechi stated that the inauguration will also help curb the spread of the novel disease as ticketing sections of the train stations will be decongested of crowds.

Earlier, the CEO SecureID Ltd, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbo in her remarks explained the different methods as to which a passenger can purchase his or her train ticket.

“We have three platforms where a passenger can purchase their ticket. You can use the POS or cash method, the mobile app method or the Web method online.”

Akinkugbo further explained that a passenger can only book a ticket a day before the journey adding that a passenger forfeits his or her ticket if not use, as ticket fee are non-refundable.

Highlighting the benefit of the newly launched platform, Akinkugbo said travelling has been made easier for passengers as they are able to plan ahead, purchase tickets conveniently and also from the comfort of their homes or offices, curb the issues related with ticketing racketeering, and also save time.

However, she assured Nigerians that the app has undergone all security test and has been confirmed safe and secured against data theft.

“The app is licensed on a secured platform and has gone through all the security test to protect the database of all register passengers,” she said.

Also speaking the event, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okiriah disclosed that the process of the Lagos-Ibadan e-ticketting platform is at its peak and will be test-run as soon as all necessary procedures are carried out

“We are at the peak of doing the necessary things for the Lagos-Ibadan E-ticketting platform, and maybe in the next 2-3weeks the advert will be out and all relevant institutions will do an evaluation on the app and once the government approves, then we’ll kick start the platform”, he said.

The SecureID is the concessionaire for designing, developing, financing, completion, equipping, testing, deploying and maintainance, of the secured automated fare collection and ticket solution for the period of the concession (10years) and will provide all the funding required. (N900Million)