Delta To Introduce Automated Fare Collection In State-owned The transformation vision of the Dr.

Emmanuel Uduaghan administration in the state transport sector is set to record additional feat as the state government has opened discussions with two foreign firms for the introduction of Automated Fare Collection (AFC) in the state-owned commercial buses. The firms are TAPTOPAY Automatic Fare Collection in Hong Kong and the Management of Kigali Bus Services Limited, Kigali, Rwanda. Addressing journalists shortly after a closed door meeting with representatives of the firms in Asaba, the state Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Benson Igbakpa, said that given the advantages and imperatives of the AFC in eliminating corruption in the transport system, the state government was ready to adopt it in its transport system. He, however, noted that given the peculiar nature of the state transport system which he said is being operated based on Public/Private Partnership (PPP), stakeholders in the transport system must be consulted and carried along in the new system. I have contacted our key operators in the state transport sector because in Delta State, we operate our buses based on Public, Private Partnership. We need to bring them into the scheme and as soon as that is done, we will kick off, Igbakpa said. The Business Development Manager, TAPTOPAY Automatic Fare Collection, Hong Kong, Mr. Brendan Maguire, who spoke alongside the Executive Chairman, Kigali Bus Services, Kigali, Mr. Charles Ngarambe, said they are ready to partner the state government in its drive to transform the state transport sector. The duo in their separate remarks, commended the state government for its landmark achievements in the state transport sector, with particular emphasis on the Asaba International Airport as well as the procurements of big Macopolo buses for commercial purpose. According to them, the AFC, when fully operational in the state transport sector, would, among other things, help in the elimination of corruption, address the challenge of arbitrary fare charges, as well as help the state government in planning processes. With this, everything will be transparent for the state government, the commuters and the bus operators, they said, adding that the system will also aid the cashless economy of the Federal government in the state. The AFC, according to them is a form of credit card which, without the elements of a machine or electricity to function, makes use of a contact lens inbuilt in the smart card.