'Mobitel Ticketing' for trains

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed to introduce the `Mobitel Ticketing' system to the intercity bus service in the near future.

The system is available for the public to book intercity train tickets through their mobile phones, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Launching the service at Fort Railway Station yesterday, Minister Alahapperuma said under the first phase, the service is available to book train tickets for Colombo - Kandy intercity train service.

The service will be extended to other services shortly. Reserved train tickets can be obtained from any Mobitel branch or station at Colombo, Kandy, Peradeniya and Gampaha.

Minister Alahapperuma promised to introduce a common ticket for both trains and buses by next year to make it easy for passengers to use both modes of transport.

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Chairman. Leisha de Silva Chandrasena and several others also spoke. The agreement for the new service was also signed.