IN a key step toward strengthening transparency and efficiency in the land transport sector, the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has approved three companies to operate electron-ic ticketing systems.

Salum Pazzy, the LATRA head of public relations and communications said at a press briefing in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, that the step is a milestone in the country’s push toward fully digit-ized public transport services.

Demanding electronic ticketing is part of implementation of electronic ticketing regulations pub-lished in Government Gazette No. 20 of 1 December 2024, where regulation five requires elec-tronic ticketing service providers to obtain a licence from the regulator.

Key requirements include having operational systems secured against cyber-based attacks and fa-cilitated to integrate with government systems, he said, listing approved providers as Ottap Agency, Hashtech Tanzania Ltd and Iyishe Co.

The companies have met all legal and technical conditions as outlined in the regulations and will soon be issued with formal licences to begin service provision, he said.

While three companies have crossed the final threshold, six more firms including Busbora, Logix, Mkombozi Infotech, Sepatech, AB Courier Express and Web Corporation have been given 14 days from July 2, to meet outstanding regulatory requirements or risk being barred from operations, he explained.

Duarani Innovative Co. and Itule Co. were found to have major compliance gaps, and handed a seven-day grace period to rectify them, he stated.”

“If they fail to meet the minimum criteria, their operations will be suspended and customers advised to shift to authorised platforms.

“We urge all transporters and stakeholders to use only systems that have been legally recognised by LATRA to avoid disruptions during inspections,” he specified.

Approved ticketing systems must be linked with LATRA’s centralised e-ticketing system and uni-fied transport system for real-time tracking, data reporting and integration across intercity buses.

It also covers standard gauge railway, meter gauge railway and cross-border bus services.

The platform is accessible at the LATRA website via smartphones and computers, with the rollout of legally compliant digital ticketing systems part of a broader effort to modernise public transport, improve revenue collection, reduce fraud and informal transactions in the passenger traffic sub-sector, he said.

Regular monitoring and enforcement will be conducted, he said, warning that non-compliant oper-ators will face legal action, pledging to work closely with ICT experts and transport stakeholders to ensure operational safety and quality of services.

Cooperation extended by the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), the Tanzania Bus Owners’ Association (TABOA) and other service providers is essential in transforming the passenger transport ecosystem, he added.