Ethio-Djibouti Railway Goes Digital, Demands Fayda Registration for Travel Tickets

Fayda National ID registrations have become mandatory to book travel tickets from the Etho-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway S.C(EDR) for Ethiopians. Takele Uma (Eng), the recently appointed CEO of the EDR, made the announcements on his X page two nights ago. “Travel just got easier, faster, and more convenient,” he lauded in his post about the new portal. 

Prospective Ethiopian travelers are expected to settle payments through telebirr after inputting their Fayda registration numbers. The new requirements don’t apply to Djiboutian travelers and other foreigners using the railway.

EDR was established in April 2017 with a capital of half a billion dollars comprised of 10,000 shares based on a bilateral agreement between Ethiopia and the Republic of Djibouti. The Railway line extends 756 K.M (656 K.M in Ethiopia and 100 K.M. in Djibouti) while it transports around 2 million tons of freight and around 120,000 passengers annually.

Israel Weldemeskel, EDR’s Director of Communications, says passengers will no longer be subjected to the toil of physically visiting a ticket office. She indicated that all services can be accessed through the online portal.

“We will no longer accept walk-in customers,” Israel told Shega.

EDR’s ticket booking became the 52^nd add-on service on the telebirr super app. Prospective Ethiopian travelers can book tickets ranging from regular to VIP after they input their Fayda numbers. An OTP (One-time Password) will be sent via a text message once the Fayda number is confirmed as authentic. Departure stations in Sebeta, Lebu, Bishoftu, Mojo, Adama, Mieso, Bike, and Dire Dawa are listed on the platform with the smallest fare being 23 birr between the first two locations. 

Israel emphasized the importance of the national ID for several reasons with increased security being among the goals. The Railway company owns around 35 electric and six diesel shunting locomotives alongside 1,100 freight wagons and 30 passenger coaches. In May of last year management of the railway was transferred to the governments of the two nations after six years of oversight by the Chinese consortium of investors. Two months later Takele, the former mayor of Addis Ababa and later Minister of Mines was appointed as CEO of the share company which provides logistics services on a vital trade corridor.

The Company generated around 3.74 billion birr in 2023 during the final year of management by the Chinese consortium. Fayda national Id registrations have become mandatory for a host of public services in Addis Ababa over the past few months. A little over 12 million Ethiopians have registered for the digital ID as it looks to reach the 90-million target in the next few years.