The Lusaka City council in Zambia has deployed an automated electronic ticketing vending machines at the country’s biggest intercity bus terminus to avert fraud among bus ticket buyers.

The electronic machines allow passengers to purchase their tickets by inserting cash and credit cards from various points outside the intercity bus terminus.

The council believes the vending machines will reduce cases of theft as it will cut off callboys who harass and steal from commuters at the bus terminus.

The Lusaka intercity bus terminus has become the first in the country to deploy vending machines. Once the system proves effective and efficient, the Zambian government plans to roll it out across the country.

Lusaka City mayor George Nyendwa said the electric ticketing system that was bought at a cost of ZMK12 million would modernise operations at the station and increase revenue collection by the council instead of relying on gate takings only.

“With over 144 buses using the intercity terminus per day and a population of over 8,000 commuters passing through the terminus on a daily basis, the council stands a better chance of benefiting through the new electric ticketing system,” Nyendwa said.

The machines have been supplied and installed by Vane-Technologies of South Africa. Last year, officials from the Lusaka City council toured South Africa to learn how electronic ticketing system works in that country.