Electronic railway ticket sales increase eightfold in five years

NUR-SULTAN – Electronic tickets sales for Kazakh railway transportation have increased eightfold in the last five years. The system eases the purchase process and reduces illegal re-sales.

Online sales were introduced in 2014, when 2.55 million tickets were sold. Purchases increased to 6.7 million the following year, then nearly doubled to 11.6 million in 2016. The figure hiked to 14.8 million in 2017 and 16.26 million last year.

Tickets are available through 233 Passenger Transportation and more than 4,500 private ticket offices, according to the Passenger Transportation press service. They may also be purchased commission free at www.epay.railways.kz and other online resources.

“The development of digital technologies allows passengers to purchase a ticket without leaving their home or office, which saves time. At the same time, the national carrier urges citizens not to use the dubious services of outsiders when buying tickets and, instead, to be proactive citizens by letting us know about those services. Citizens may report [issues] to the Police Department of Transport Police of the Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs, whose employees are permanently located at railway stations,” noted the press release.

Passengers are asked to send information on illegal ticket resales, including supporting photographs and video materials, to the Passenger Transportation Director General’s blog at www.temirzholy.kz. Passenger Transportation will then take the necessary measures, including terminating employment contracts.


Get The Astana Times stories sent directly to you! Sign up via the website or subscribe to our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, YouTube and Tiktok!