The Nigerian Railway Corporation has officially revealed that the long-awaited electronic ticketing (e-ticketing) service for the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway will commence next week.
This announcement was delivered by Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the Corporation, during an interview on Tuesday at Television Continental (TVC).
Okhiria stated that the final testing of the ticketing platform will be completed on Wednesday, ensuring that any issues are resolved before it becomes available to the public.
With the e-ticketing system, passengers will no longer be required to physically visit train stations to purchase tickets. Instead, they can conveniently buy their tickets at least 48 hours before their planned departure using any internet-enabled device.
This e-ticketing system will be implemented on the Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, and Itakpe-Warri rail lines.
“The e-ticketing is the way to go; it is the way to secure our finances and investments because the revenue goes directly to the government’s coffers. We have already introduced it in Abuja-Kaduna, and it will soon be available in Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri. By the end of the month, passengers should be able to use this system,” Okhiria explained.
Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has plans to double the train speed on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge, increasing it from 40km/hr to 80km/hr.
Okhiria emphasized that the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge, which started operating in 2021, was designed for speeds of up to 150km/hr, and the increase in speed will enhance efficiency. He also urged the public to refrain from trespassing on the railway tracks and noted that awareness campaigns would be conducted at various train stations to inform people about the higher train speeds and the importance of adhering to safety signals.
In his statement, he said, “We are going to increase our speed, especially within Lagos. I’m also using this opportunity to urge people not to play on the tracks. We are currently running at 40 kilometers per hour, but we intend to gradually increase it to 80 kilometers per hour within Lagos. People should be aware of this, obey level crossing lights, and follow the instructions of our signalmen. We have started making public announcements at stations like Oshodi, Yaba, Mushin, and Agege to inform the public about the upcoming increase in train speed. Safety should be a top priority, and people should avoid crossing the tracks as it is not a place for any kind of trading or activities.”