Digital Ticketing System Enhances Safety and Transparency in Oyo State’s COVID-Era Transport Operations
By Salami Adeyinka
Months after the launch of Oyo State’s electronic ticketing system, the initiative continues to demonstrate measurable improvements in accountability, transparency, and public health safety across the state’s transportation network. Introduced by the Ministry of Works and Transport in partnership with the Board of Internal Revenue, the platform emerged as a timely solution during the post COVID-19 pandemic, when minimising physical contact became a priority for both government agencies and transport operators.
Before the introduction of the system, the process of collecting daily dues from commercial drivers relied heavily on in-person interactions. Enforcement officials routinely handled cash, distributed paper tickets, and carried out manual verifications. During the height of the pandemic, these practices raised concerns about physical proximity, surface contact, and the general safety of drivers and revenue agents, who were required to interact with numerous individuals each day. Many operators also reported inconsistencies in the manual process, which caused confusion and lacked transparency.
The electronic ticketing system was designed to address these challenges by providing a streamlined method of revenue collection. Under the new framework, driver information is uploaded on the app, and their vehicle registration plate number serves as the unique identifier. To date, the system has successfully onboarded over 80% of commercial drivers across the state. Revenue collection agents are trained to generate electronic tickets on the spot, with payment categories automatically determined by the type of vehicle and whether it operates intra-city or inter-city routes. The introduction of QR codes has further streamlined the verification process, ensuring that payments can be confirmed quickly and reliably. Importantly, funds move directly into government accounts, significantly reducing leakages and improving oversight.
“The transition to this digital infrastructure required robust technical leadership and a product-centric approach. While the operational rollout and stakeholder coordination were facilitated by delivery partners, including Crescent Deen and BridgeGap Resources, the platform’s core architecture and software development were entirely led by software engineer Olusegun Salako. Tasked with translating the Ministry’s complex requirements into a scalable digital product, Salako designed the secure system capable of reliably handling the state’s daily ticketing volume during a period of heightened public health sensitivity.
Training sessions for revenue agents were conducted with consideration for distancing protocols in Ibadan, and the system’s intuitive design reduced the need for extended in-person interaction during onboarding. Since the rollout, feedback from park operators and collection agents has indicated smoother daily operations, a reduction in disputes over fee amounts, and far less reliance on physical ticketing materials. To date, the system has successfully onboarded a database of over 25,000 commercial drivers across the state, with the system reliably processing an average of 12,000 to 15,000 electronic tickets daily during peak and off-peak operations.
As Oyo State continues to adapt its public services in response to evolving health and operational needs, the electronic ticketing system stands out as an example of how technology can support both safety and efficiency. By securing millions of Naira in daily government revenue that might otherwise be lost to manual leakages, the platform has proven to be a valuable asset during and beyond the pandemic period. The project further illustrates how collaborative efforts between government agencies and technical experts can successfully drive public sector digitization.
