Abia begins e-ticketing for electric bus services, establishes SME village

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has concluded plans to commence electronic ticketing for her electronic bus mass transit known as Green Shuttle.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who made the disclosure to newsmen in Umuahia, said the state government plans to establish an SME Village in Aba, the state’s commercial capital.

Kanu recalled that since the commencement of the transport pilot scheme for Abia residents, it has been totally free of charge, adding that by the end of this February, it would cease to be free.

“Upon the full commencement of the mass transit services, Abians will be expected to pay tokens in order that the mass transit scheme is sustained.

“The pricing model will be based on analysis of existing market fares, involving such transport facilities as Keke and mini-buses. It will also be based on distance cost rate, rather than first-stop pricing and a government-backed fare moderation.”

Speaking further, Kanu said, “There will be electronic ticketing that will eliminate cash handling by conductors. The electronic ticketing system will feature contactless smart cards, prepaid and pay-as-you-go options, time transaction recording and a centralised revenue monitoring dashboard.”

The commissioner informed that between  December 22 and January 29, the scheme has transported a total of 106,116 passengers over a total distance of 74,796.6 kilometres on the average.

He disclosed that 14 buses were deployed daily and each carrying approximately 3,034 passengers a day, adding that the pilot rollout has offered the bus operators an idea of the intra-city and inter-city mobility demand for the bus service.

He said the scheme will now offer commuters options to choose from, in terms of using either the mass transit buses or the “keke” and mini-bus services that already exist.

“Abians would witness a transformed urban mass transit infrastructure into a world-class experience in terms of the state-of-the-art bus transit services that will ensure affordability, comfort, and equally friendly mass transit bus experience.”

Meanwhile, Abia State Executive Council has approved the establishment of an SME Village and Innovation Hub in Aba to boost the economy of the state.

Kanu said the establishment of the SME Village is a move aimed at strengthening Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises as a key driver of the state’s economic growth.

He said, when completed, the SME Village will accommodate computer dealers, mobile phone sellers, and repair technicians among others, as well as help to decongest parts of Aba currently plagued by unregulated commercial activities.