Railway to expand paperless ticketing nationwide

Deputy Minister of Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena plans to expand the digital train ticketing system across Sri Lanka, marking a significant step towards modernising the country’s public transport network under the Computerised Seat Reservation Project (CSRP).

While the facility to purchase tickets online has been available on a limited scale for some time, Deputy Minister Dr. Gunasena said the latest initiative will introduce a comprehensive digital ticketing system at railway stations islandwide, gradually replacing traditional paper tickets.

The upgraded system will also include the installation of new equipment to validate tickets, enhancing efficiency and reducing congestion at station counters.

As part of a pilot phase, the program will be launched early next month at several stations on the Kelani Valley line, including Narahenpita, Nugegoda, Makumbura, Homagama and the Padukka railway stations.

Dr. Gunasena said the Government will first implement the system across all stations on the Kelani Valley line before extending it to other railway lines. “This phased approach will help us to identify and address any operational issues before expanding the system nationwide,” he said.

The Deputy Minister was speaking during a recent tour, where he underscored the importance of completing the project this year. He said that additional passenger-friendly features should be incorporated alongside the ticketing upgrade.

The transport authorities believe the initiative will significantly improve commuter convenience by reducing long queues, minimising delays and offering a more streamlined travel experience.

Source - Sunday Observer