In a bid to address the persistent problem of ticket racketeering and enhance revenue generation, the Federal Government of Nigeria officially unveiled the E-ticketing platform for the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe rail lines.
The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, announced this development at the Ministry headquarters in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the E-ticketing system is set to take effect from November 1st, 2023, and can be accessed through the platform https://nrc.tps.ng.
The primary objective behind this initiative is to simplify ticket purchasing for passengers, enhance security, and eliminate fraudulent ticket practices. Minister Alkali emphasized the importance of streamlining the ticketing process and ensuring passengers’ safety during their rail journeys.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okharia, noted that the E-ticketing system had already led to a significant increase in weekly revenue on the Warri-Itakpe route, with an impressive N28 million generated.
The move to implement E-ticketing is expected to not only curb unethical activities but also boost revenue.
The E-ticketing project, approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2023 at a cost of N1.96 billion, aims to generate an estimated revenue of N176 billion over ten years.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to eradicating ticket racketeering and unethical practices that have plagued rail transportation as evidenced by the heavy sanctions imposed on 14 individuals involved in such activities.
The E-ticketing platform promises to improve accessibility to rail services, enhance security, and offer passengers greater convenience in acquiring tickets for their journeys.
The government’s efforts align with its broader goal of using technology to maximize internally generated revenue. With this initiative, the days of ticket racketeering and revenue leakage may be coming to an end, offering a more transparent and efficient rail transport system to Nigerians.
