Bus tickets, pension payments set to go digital

Bus tickets and pension grants in Trinidad and Tobago are set to go digital, as the Government moves to modernise public services and eliminate paper-based systems.

Your bus ticket will now be available online, and your pension grant will be delivered electronically, signalling the end of an era defined by paper receipts, long transit queues and the uncertainty of mailed cheques.

In a major step towards a more connected future, the Government is replacing outdated manual systems with a streamlined digital framework. The announcement was made on Thursday by Dionne Williams, manager of digital payments at the National Payment and Innovation Company of T&T (NPICTT), as the entity unveiled technological upgrades aimed at transforming access to public transportation and social services.

The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) is leading the initiative by transitioning to a digital ticketing platform. Commuters will now be able to purchase bus tickets online, with specialised terminals to be deployed for the Deluxe Coach service in the initial phase from Friday. Williams described the transition as a “huge win” for the corporation.

By moving away from manual processes, the PTSC expects to significantly reduce boarding times and improve revenue collection. The new digital infrastructure will also generate data on commuter travel patterns, allowing the corporation to optimise routes and schedules based on actual usage.

At the same time, a major digital integration is being rolled out in collaboration with the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services.

“In concert with the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, we are in stream for disbursement of pension grants, disability grants both for minors, other relief grants, reducing administrative time processing, and, of course, eliminating check printing, mailing, and all the associated concerns with check fraud.

“So the aim of that project and the key impact is for grants and funds to reach the most vulnerable more timely, more safely, securely, and providing the ministry with enhanced transparency,” Williams explained.

Addressing concerns about how elderly and less tech-savvy citizens would adapt, NPICTT chairman Dr Nigel Fulchan said existing systems would be leveraged to support the transition.

“The underserved is really our focus in innovation. We want to focus on innovation for the underserved. Now, there are systems in place currently. Let’s look at the checks. We are printing 40,000 checks right now.

“Some pensioners are using the direct deposits, but a lot of them still require the check. But there’s a system in place in Social Development to help even cash a check. You would think that that should be a simple process as well. So, we’re going to utilise what we have. We don’t need to recreate a system, because it’s already there. But digitising of checks, we will utilise the same system to assist the senior citizens.”

Also launched at the event was CitizenAI, a free artificial intelligence assistant available to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago via WhatsApp. With no app download or technical knowledge required, users can simply send a message to access the service.

Developed and operated by local technology company Axionis, the initiative makes Trinidad and Tobago the first country in the Caribbean to provide universal AI access to its population, expanding access to digital tools and services nationwide.