RedBus expands global footprint, initiates to boost bus industry financing

15 Dec 2023 CW Team

Sangam also highlighted the company's efforts to collaborate with non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India to improve the financing landscape for bus operators. He noted that the current challenge lies in a constrained supply, leading to a 30-35% increase in prices compared to pre-Covid times. Many bus operators faced closures during the pandemic, resulting in debt issues and fleet sales. Unlike the more organised airline industry, the informal nature of the bus industry has created skepticism among financial institutions about lending to it.

RedBus sees opportunities to support the growth of bus operators by facilitating a favorable financing environment. The company is actively engaging with NBFCs and expressed willingness to collaborate with other financial institutions to address the financing needs of the industry.

Sangam reported a remarkable 30% year-over-year revenue growth, attributing it to the resurgence of travel post-Covid. The platform has witnessed an expansion of its user base, with increased participation from regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Orissa, and Bihar. Sangam emphasised that traditionally strong markets in the South, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, have contributed significantly to the growth in the past six months.

RedBus currently boasts a vast network of 425,000 unique source-destination combinations on its platform, offering around 32,000 unique private services and 25,000 state transport schedules. The CEO remains optimistic about the future, focusing on sustaining growth and fostering partnerships to support the evolving landscape of online bus booking.

RedBus, the leading online bus booking platform, is embarking on international expansion, according to CEO Prakash Sangam. Following the global trend of increased digitisation post-Covid, redBus has successfully secured its position as the top player in Malaysia, where one in four bus tickets is now booked on their platform. Sangam shared that the company is set to launch in Vietnam and Cambodia this quarter, further expanding its presence beyond its current markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Peru, and Colombia. Sangam also highlighted the company's efforts to collaborate with non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India to improve the financing landscape for bus operators. He noted that the current challenge lies in a constrained supply, leading to a 30-35% increase in prices compared to pre-Covid times. Many bus operators faced closures during the pandemic, resulting in debt issues and fleet sales. Unlike the more organised airline industry, the informal nature of the bus industry has created skepticism among financial institutions about lending to it. RedBus sees opportunities to support the growth of bus operators by facilitating a favorable financing environment. The company is actively engaging with NBFCs and expressed willingness to collaborate with other financial institutions to address the financing needs of the industry. Sangam reported a remarkable 30% year-over-year revenue growth, attributing it to the resurgence of travel post-Covid. The platform has witnessed an expansion of its user base, with increased participation from regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Orissa, and Bihar. Sangam emphasised that traditionally strong markets in the South, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, have contributed significantly to the growth in the past six months. RedBus currently boasts a vast network of 425,000 unique source-destination combinations on its platform, offering around 32,000 unique private services and 25,000 state transport schedules. The CEO remains optimistic about the future, focusing on sustaining growth and fostering partnerships to support the evolving landscape of online bus booking.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..