The Transport Management Commission (TMC) of the Great Ife Students’ Union, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has raised alarm over the circulation of counterfeit shuttle transport tickets within the university community, warning students to exercise caution when purchasing tickets for campus transportation.
In an official notice released to students, the Commission disclosed that fake versions of the OAU Shuttle Transport ticket are currently being sold by certain vendors, posing a risk to unsuspecting students who rely on the university’s shuttle system for daily movement across campus.
According to the Commission, investigations revealed that the counterfeit tickets closely resemble the authentic ones but contain several identifiable discrepancies. To assist students in detecting fraudulent tickets, images of both the original and fake versions were attached to the public notice.
Key Differences Identified
The Transport Management Commission highlighted several distinguishing features between the authentic and counterfeit tickets:
Imprint Design:
On genuine tickets, the imprinted text runs continuously and clearly across the bus and tricycle icons. In contrast, the fake versions show interruptions in the imprint, suggesting manipulation or reproduction through photo-editing software.
Colour Quality:
Original tickets possess a richer and more vibrant colour appearance, while counterfeit copies appear lighter, faded, and less professionally produced.
Logo Variations:
Students have been advised to carefully inspect the logo positioned at the top-left corner of the ticket, as noticeable differences exist between the authentic and counterfeit versions.
Top Border Line:
The upper border line on the fake ticket is reportedly thicker than that found on the original version, providing another visual clue for verification.
The Commission warned that the growing circulation of counterfeit tickets could lead to financial losses for students and disrupt transportation operations on campus. Students were therefore encouraged to thoroughly inspect tickets before purchase and to avoid patronising unauthorised or suspicious vendors.
Furthermore, members of the university community were urged to report any suspected cases of ticket counterfeiting or fraudulent sales activities to the appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action.
The Students’ Union assured students that efforts are already being made to tackle the issue and curb the spread of counterfeit tickets within the university environment. While specific measures were not disclosed, the Commission indicated that further updates would be communicated as investigations and enforcement efforts continue.
The development has sparked concern among students who depend on the shuttle service as an affordable and reliable means of transportation within the expansive OAU campus. The Transport Management Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting students and maintaining the integrity of the university’s transportation system.
Students are advised to stay alert, verify tickets before purchase, and cooperate with authorities in combating the circulation of fake transport tickets.
