Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that the e-ticketing platform of the Nigerian Railway Corporation will be open next week, starting with the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.
The Minister, who made the disclosure in a tweet posted on Wednesday morning, encouraged passengers to visit the platform to make their bookings.
“Yes, we have commenced test bookings on the NRC E-ticketing platform, starting with the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. Next week, we’ll launch fully. Check it out and make bookings at: nrc.tps.ng“.
The announcement was welcomed by many Nigerians who complained of ticket racketeering in the stations. They expressed hope that the e-platform would make the tickets more readily available to intending travellers.
Nnamdi Gabriel, tweeting with@nnamdi83, said in reaction to the announcement, “Kudos Hon Minister….nice move that will end racketeering and the activities of touts in the impressive rail infrastructure built by your ministry under the supervision of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Similarly, Stanley Osula @stanosula, said, ”Congratulations Sir, this will help remove middle men and touting. Can we have the website/app secured please, Many Thanks.”
Mitchell Bassey @mitchellobi916, added, ”E ticketing is the best to avoid all this unnecessary sharp practises that money keep entering private pockets instead of govt acct. it will also bring efficiency and standard best practices obtain across the world.”
However, some people warned against sabotage of the platform that will lead to a fall back on buying off the tellers at the station premises as seen with Immigration Services e-platform.
Jmyl @jambabe68, ”Thanks for the info, sir. I sincerely hope this e-ticket platform will not be sabotage to frustrate customers to reverting to the old ways of buying from touts. We experienced this with the immigration services for passport.”