Idea Money partners with redBus to enable bus ticket bookings for users

The instant digital wallet service from Idea Cellular, Idea Money, on Wednesday announced its partnership with India's number one online bus ticketing platform, redBus.

This partnership will support and enable hassle free bus ticket booking for Idea Money customers with limited or no internet access.

The collaboration will allow customers to book bus tickets online through Idea Money's RAM portal with the help of the retailer at all Idea Money retail points.

Customers can access bus bookings across 70,000+ routes in India, inclusive of both inter and intra state travel, on private and state-run bus services like GSRTC, UPSRTC, etc.

"We are delighted to partner with redBus and add yet another service offering to our portfolio under the Idea Money Retailer Assisted Model (RAM). Road is the most sought-after mode of transport among India's growing populace. Through this collaboration, we aim to bridge the accessibility challenge faced by our customers in the smaller markets," said MD and CEO, Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank, Sudhakar Ramasubramanian.

"The essence of our RAM model is to bring more and more online services to our offline customers and establish a sense of inclusiveness. With this partnership, Idea Money, further empowers its retailers with a comprehensive suite of offerings, those that the customers can avail easily at all times," added Ramasubramanian.

With the improving connectivity between cities, towns and villages in the country, road transport is a growing mode of travel among the Indian population.

However, accessibility to technology based electronic ticket booking and awareness around it is low in the Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets. With this association, Idea's network of 1.8 million retailers coupled with redBus's geographical spread will amplify the reach of the offering to Tier 3 and Tier 4 markets and be beneficial for both the end customer and retailer.

"We are very excited with this partnership, as Idea's 1.8 million retailer network opens up a significant large channel for us. Ability to book bus tickets in advance, for a consumer along with informed choice and seat selection, will improve the overall ticketing experience and help scale up online bus ticket bookings, esp. beyond Metro's and Tier-1 markets," said Vice President, redBus, Manoj Agarwala.

With an aim to scale up rural assisted bus bookings, the Idea Money - redBus partnership will work to solve the accessibility and transport challenges faced in the distant and smaller towns of our country.