Uber Launches Intercity Bus Ticketing in India, Its First Market Globally for the Service

Uber announced on Thursday the launch of intercity bus ticketing through its app in India, marking the first global rollout of the service. The new feature allows users to search, compare, and book long-distance bus journeys without leaving the Uber platform.

The company has partnered with AbhiBus, the bus-booking division of travel platform Ixigo, as its initial supply partner. Uber described the collaboration as combining AbhiBus's inventory and ticketing expertise with its own distribution scale.

As part of an introductory promotion, riders can receive a 25 percent discount of up to Rs 200 on their first intercity bus booking, and a 10 percent discount of up to Rs 100 on each of the following three trips.

The service includes safety features already present on Uber's existing products, including real-time location sharing, a 24-hour safety helpline, and dedicated trip support.

Praveen Neppalli Naga, Uber's Chief Technology Officer, said the Indian market functions as a key innovation center for the company, and that technologies developed there inform Uber's broader global product roadmap.

Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia, pointed to improvements in India's highway infrastructure as a factor driving growth in long-distance road travel, and said digital platforms are positioned to play a larger role in how journeys are planned and booked.

The bus product adds to an intercity travel offering that already spans over 3,000 city-to-city car routes. Uber also ran a limited intercity motorhomes option in India last year, which the company said was aimed at the premium long-distance travel segment.

Bookings can be made through the Uber app by selecting the "Intercity Buses" option on the home screen, choosing origin and destination, selecting a seat, and completing payment via UPI, debit or credit card, or net banking. Ticket confirmation is sent via email and WhatsApp.

Uber has operated in India since 2013 and is currently active in more than 125 cities across the country.