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Touch and Pay Technologies (TAP), a Nigerian fintech company and processor of micro-transactions in Africa, has deployed technology that aids interstate travel from Lagos to other parts of the country.
Today, there are over a million interstate trips daily in the country, with 40 per cent of trips emanating or terminating in Lagos State. Passengers now have the option to interact with TAP’s state-of-the-art ticketing and booking system each year without the need for cash. The new digital technology prioritises environmental sustainability and improves service delivery.
In addition to the launch of the digital payment solution for interstate travel, TAP has also partnered with the Lagos state Ministry of Transportation to accredit and vet all inter-city bus parks within the state. This provides a unified system for regulating transportation routes, schedules, capacities, and prices which have been challenging for the state government and operators before now.
The proposed transportation system aims to improve efficiency, safety, and security by introducing several key features, such as standard and licensed parks and a single dashboard for emergency and quick responses. Bus owners and drivers will benefit from a cashless system and access to bus financing from transport data, along with new incentives for mobility companies to participate.
Commuters will have access to a single aggregated platform for booking, a cashless system, and data and credit advance systems for passenger trips. players will have new opportunities to participate through a new platform that integrates credit, private bus owners, and mobility companies, which will enhance the overall efficiency of the system.
Co-founder and CEO of Touch and Pay Technologies, Olamide Afolabi, in a press statement, made available to LEADERSHIP, said, “TAP is proud to be the first service to level the playing field when it comes to transportation in Lagos. Commuters often need to reserve tickets in advance to avoid waiting in lines.
“In the past, bus passengers had to physically visit counters and engage with attendants to book and pay for their trips. This is no longer the case. Customers taking an interstate trip can now access the details of their journey, including the ability to buy tickets and select the seats of their choice, without ever leaving the comfort of their homes”.
Co-founder and chief growth officer of Touch and Pay Technologies, Michael Oluwole, stated, “our interstate booking feature offers commuters convenience and enables transport providers to invest in enhancing interstate travel. By reducing the need for cash transactions, transportation companies can streamline their operations and reduce expenses. Our new app can be viewed as a win-win for both commuters and transport providers, as it contributes to a more effective and comfortable public transportation system.”
