COLOMBO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka Railways is set to launch a pilot program for a smart ticketing system in April, a step toward modernizing passenger services and reducing reliance on paper-based ticketing.
The initiative follows the introduction of an online train ticket booking facility under the ongoing sector reform program. The new system is intended to replace paper tickets with a digital alternative supported by validation equipment at railway stations.
The pilot program will be carried out over several days on the Kelani Valley line, covering the Narahenpita, Nugegoda, Makumbura, Homagama, and Padukka stations.
Officials said the pilot phase will be used to identify operational and technical issues before expanding the system. Following this stage, the digital ticketing system is expected to be introduced across all stations on the Kelani Valley line and later extended to other railway lines.
The full rollout is targeted for completion within the year, with additional features planned to improve passenger convenience as the system is expanded. ■
