The verdict in three sentences
Online intercity ticketing replaces the queue and the counterfoil booklet with a QR e-ticket paid via mobile money, with seat selection. In 2026, online sales lift the occupancy rate by about 20 % by capturing travelers who book the day before, and sharply cut departure queues. The budget (800,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA) pays off quickly for any operator running several daily departures.
Key ticketing features
Each feature tackles a concrete loss: empty seats, queues, seat disputes, missed departures.
| Feature | Problem solved | Estimated 2026 gain |
|---|---|---|
| Online sales | Unsold seats | +20 % occupancy |
| QR e-ticket | Counter queues | boarding in 5 s |
| Seat selection | On-board disputes | -80 % conflicts |
| Mobile money payment | Risky cash handling | secured cash flow |
| Departure notifications | Late travelers | -30 % no-shows |
| Managed refunds | Manual claims | clear rules |
Budget by network
Cost depends on the number of routes and the level of management expected. A single-route operator needs a base; a multi-route network justifies full departure management.
| Profile | Scope | Cost (FCFA) | Maintenance /month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 route | Schedules, e-ticket, mobile money | 800,000 - 1,200,000 | 50,000 - 100,000 |
| Multi-route | + Seat selection, notifications | 1,200,000 - 2,000,000 | 100,000 - 200,000 |
| Network | + Departure management, refunds, stats | 2,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 200,000 - 350,000 |
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mamadou runs a Dakar-Tambacounda route with 3 daily departures of 50-seat buses. Before online ticketing, average occupancy was 38 seats (76 %). After deploying a 1,500,000 FCFA solution, advance sales raise occupancy to 45 seats (+18 %). On a 12,000 FCFA ticket, that is 7 seats x 3 departures = 21 extra tickets/day, i.e. 252,000 FCFA/day. Within a month, the revenue gain far exceeds the cost of the tool.
FAQ
Does the traveler need to print the ticket? No. The QR e-ticket stays on the phone and is scanned at boarding. A confirmation SMS serves as backup if the battery dies, with the booking code.
How to prevent fake tickets? The QR is unique and verified on scan: it turns to "used" at first boarding, making reuse or duplication impossible.
What happens if a departure is cancelled? The refund rule is set in advance (full, partial or credit) and applied automatically via mobile money, avoiding endless counter claims.
Does counter sales disappear? No, both coexist. The system syncs seats sold online and at the counter to prevent double-selling the same seat.
How long to launch ticketing? Count 4 to 8 weeks depending on the number of routes. A single route with e-ticket and mobile money payment can be live in just over a month.
Let's talk about your project. We build your intercity ticketing system with QR e-ticket and mobile money payment. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
