The Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that the e-ticketing platform of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, for Kaduna Abuja rail services was procured at the rate of N900million through a 10-year concession agreement.
The minister, who made the disclosure on Thursday while launching the platform, said the softwate would be managed by the concessionaire for a period of 10 years, after which it would be transferred to the NRC.
According to him, the platform is another milestone for the NRC, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Government.
He said: “This project which is a Public-Private Partnership is a product of over three years of rigorous procurement process and due diligence involving the NRC, NITDA and finally obtaining approval from the Federal Executive Council.
“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.
“It is my believe that deploying the secured ticketing solution is in line with world best practice, and will enhance efficiency, save time and promote accountability while also reducing leakages and promoting economic growth.
“It is most suitable especially at this period of COVID-19 as it reduces physical interactions at the stations as passengers can buy their tickets at the comfort of their homes and offices through their phones.”
The minister thanked the concessionaire, SecureID Limited, for believing in the project adding that the various initiatives which would be introduced by the concessionaire is aimed at making the entire rail network more passengers friendly.
