Despite the introduction of cashless payment systems in many parts of Nigeria, Nigerian railway companies insist on paying for their operations in cash, especially on the Lagos-Ibadan route.
While other companies have explored POS services and online banking, it has been observed that NRC officials do not accept wire transfers or use PoS services.
The cash desk at the Mobolaji Johnson station in Lagos has been confirmed to only accept new Naira notes. A visit to the Babatunde Fashola railway station revealed that the ticket office only accepts new notes. One employee said management does not allow bank transfers or the use of PoS devices contrary to policy.
The passenger, who introduced himself as Mr. Ahmed Ogunsanya, said that he had to pay in new small notes, which he took with him, in order to gain access to the train.
I paid with the little new notes I had on me and added N100 notes to it too. The ticket man refused to collect old notes from me. Now I don’t even know if ‘danfo’ will collect it from me.”
Speaking on the development, District Manager for Lagos, NRC, Augustine Arisa, said there was no cash anywhere, saying “everybody is faced with the challenge.”
He confirmed that the NRC was collecting only new notes.
He said, “We are not using PoS. If it is not e-ticketing, you pay cash. Until when we are given the go-ahead on e-ticketing. The implication of this is that people who don’t have the new notes won’t be able to use the facility.”
Another passenger said, “The decision of the management of the corporation to introduce a collection of tickets with new naira notes is impromptu, ill-timed and embarrassing.”