A statement by Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, Media Assistant to Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the Federal Government on Wednesday announced the commencement of the test run.

She said that e-ticketing on the route would also officially begin on Jan. 20.

Elebiyo-Edeni said that on the first day of the test booking, 1,174 passengers used the platform to purchase tickets, on Thursday 3,479 passengers access the platform while on Friday, Jan. 15,  3,398 passengers accessed the platform.

She disclosed that Amaechi, who announced the e-ticketing, stated that the government would fully inaugurate the service this week.

The train service which was inaugurated for commercial operations in 2016 had faced the challenge of racketeering which had led to extortion of passengers.

Elebiyo-Edeni said the minister initiated the e-ticketing platform in order to resolve the challenges and eradicate touts at the train stations.

She added that purchasing tickets at the train stations is still in place to enable those who cannot access it online to purchase tickets over the counter. (NAN)