View source for RedBus

{{short description|Online bus ticketing company}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Advert|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = redbus
| logo = Redbus logo.jpg
| logo_size =
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = Online travel
| products = Booking buses, trains and cabs
| fate =
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founded = 2006<ref>{{cite news |title=redBus Eyes Next Phase Of Growth From Further Expanding International Ops |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/redbus-exploring-opportunities-in-vietnam-thailand-and-turkey/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=Inc42 Media |date=10 August 2019 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127012203/https://inc42.com/buzz/redbus-exploring-opportunities-in-vietnam-thailand-and-turkey/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| founders = {{ubl|Phanindra Sama|Charan Padmaraju|Sudhakar Pasupunuri}}
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| hq_location_city = [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]]
| hq_location_country = [[India]]
| area_served = {{ubl|[[India]]}}
| key_people = {{ubl|Prakash Sangam {{small|([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}|Anoop Menon {{small|([[Chief technology officer|CTO]])}}}}
| revenue = {{USD}}85 million (2019)<ref>{{cite news |title=redBus eyes revving up bus ticketing revenues from overseas operations |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/redbus-eyes-revving-up-bus-ticketing-revenues-from-overseas-operations-120022701096_1.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=Business Standard India |date=27 February 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228165841/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/redbus-eyes-revving-up-bus-ticketing-revenues-from-overseas-operations-120022701096_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent = [[MakeMyTrip]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.redbus.in/}}
}}
'''redBus''' is an online bus ticket booking company that provides bus ticket booking through its [[website]] and [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android mobile apps]]. ‘’’RedBus’’’ India is headquartered in [[Bangalore]] and works like a hub, acting as a medium for a network of more than 3500 bus operators,<ref name="livemint" /><ref name="thehindubusinessline" /> across the countries of [[India]], [[Malaysia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[Peru]], and [[Colombia]]. It claims to have registered over 180 million trips,<ref name="livemint"/> with a customer base of over 20 million.<ref name="livemint"/> In 2018, the company achieved a [[Gross merchandise volume|GMV]] of {{INRConvert|50|b|year=2018}}, with a 70% share in the Indian online bus ticketing segment.<ref name="thehindubusinessline"/>
In 2013, redBus was acquired by [[Ibibo|Ibibo Group]].<ref name="techcrunch">{{cite news|title=Tencent, Naspers JV Ibibo Buys Redbus To Grow Its Online Travel Empire In India|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/tencent-naspers-india-jv-ibibo-buys-redbus-to-grow-its-online-travel-empire/|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123856/https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/tencent-naspers-india-jv-ibibo-buys-redbus-to-grow-its-online-travel-empire/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the Ibibo Group was acquired by [[MakeMyTrip]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MakeMyTrip Limited and ibibo Group to combine |url=https://www.naspers.com/news/makemytrip-limited-and-ibibo-group-to-combine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070037/https://www.naspers.com/news/makemytrip-limited-and-ibibo-group-to-combine |archive-date=2018-11-23 |access-date=2018-10-28 |website=www.naspers.com}}</ref>
==History==
redBus was founded in 2006 by Phanindra Sama,<ref name="techinasia"/> Sudhakar Pasupunuri and Charan Padmaraju, engineers from the [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science]] ,<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=Samidha|title=redBus sold to Ibibo in one of the biggest overseas internet deals|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/redBus-sold-to-Ibibo-in-one-of-the-biggest-overseas-internet-deals/articleshow/20704509.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=22 June 2013|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729161019/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/redBus-sold-to-Ibibo-in-one-of-the-biggest-overseas-internet-deals/articleshow/20704509.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> who also worked together at various organisations before founding the company. With an initial investment of {{INRConvert|500|k|year=2006}}, the founders began operations in 2006, by tying up with various travel agents for seat reservations through the redBus portal. In the same year the company was selected for the TiE [[Entrepreneurship]] Acceleration Program and was mentored on several aspects of the business.<ref name="rediff">{{cite news|last1=Warrier|first1=Shobha|title=The amazing success story of redBus|url=http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/oct/19/slide-show-1-the-amazing-success-story-of-redbus.htm#1|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=19 October 2010|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804070304/http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/oct/19/slide-show-1-the-amazing-success-story-of-redbus.htm#1|url-status=live}}</ref> The company owns BOGDS, a cloud computing service for [[Bus|bus operators]], and SeatSeller, a GDS for bus inventory distribution.<ref>{{cite news|title=Naspers-owned redBus completes 30M ticket sales, sees 3X growth in mobile transactions|url=https://www.techcircle.in/2014/07/16/naspers-owned-redbus-completes-30m-ticket-sales-sees-3x-growth-in-mobile-transactions|publisher=Techcircle|date=16 July 2014|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123857/https://www.techcircle.in/2014/07/16/naspers-owned-redbus-completes-30m-ticket-sales-sees-3x-growth-in-mobile-transactions|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Operation==
In 2014, the company appointed Prakash Sangam<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Red Bus |url=https://www.redbus.in/info/aboutus |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610012146/https://www.redbus.in/info/aboutus |url-status=live }}</ref> as its [[Chief executive officer]], who was earlier the [[Executive Vice President]] of Info Edge India (Naukri Group), heading Shiksha.com and [[Jeevansathi.com]].<ref name="Techcircle1">{{cite news|title=ibiboGroup appoints Prakash Sangam as redBus CEO, founders fully exit the startup|url=https://www.techcircle.in/2014/06/11/ibibogroup-appoints-prakash-sangam-as-redbus-ceo-founders-fully-exit-the-startup|publisher=Techcircle|date=11 July 2014|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123859/https://www.techcircle.in/2014/06/11/ibibogroup-appoints-prakash-sangam-as-redbus-ceo-founders-fully-exit-the-startup|url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2022, redBus appointed [[Allu Arjun]], as its [[brand ambassador]].<ref name="livemint">{{cite news|last1=Tewari|first1=Saumya|title=redBus appoints Mahendra Singh Dhoni as brand ambassador|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/advertising/redbus-appoints-mahendra-singh-dhoni-as-brand-ambassador-1555321742450.html|publisher=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|date=15 April 2019|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718035648/https://www.livemint.com/industry/advertising/redbus-appoints-mahendra-singh-dhoni-as-brand-ambassador-1555321742450.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Partnership==
In 2012, redBus tied-up with [[Kadamba Transport Corporation|Goa State Road Transport]] to launch an online ticketing portal. In the same year, the company announced a partnership with the [[Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation]] ([[RSRTC]]), following which it started offering [[RSRTC]] bus tickets on the portal.<ref name="medianama1">{{cite news|title=RedBus Announces Tie-Up With RSRTC|url=https://www.medianama.com/2012/07/223-redbus-announces-tie-up-with-rsrtc/|publisher=Medianama|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801124334/https://www.medianama.com/2012/07/223-redbus-announces-tie-up-with-rsrtc/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dharmakumar|first1=Rohin|title=Redbus Has The Hot Ticket|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/printcontent/32382|work=[[Forbes India]]|date=5 March 2012|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801124333/http://www.forbesindia.com/printcontent/32382|url-status=live}}</ref> Early in 2019, redBus partnered with [[Acko General Insurance]] to offer [[travel insurance]] for its users to cover [[accidents]], baggage loss, cancellation and bus-type mismatch.<ref name="thehindubusinessline">{{cite news|last1=Srivats|first1=K R|title=Acko partners Goibibo for travel insurance foray|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/acko-partners-goibibo-for-travel-insurance-foray/article26006200.ece|publisher=[[Business Line]]|date=16 January 2019|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801124332/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/acko-partners-goibibo-for-travel-insurance-foray/article26006200.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> It also partnered with [[Truecaller]], to offer bus ticket booking on [[Android devices]].<ref name="gadgets">{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Jagmeet|title=Truecaller, RedBus Partner to Offer Bus Ticket Booking on Android Devices|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/truecaller-redbus-bus-ticket-booking-app-android-india-2015847|publisher=Gadgets ([[NDTV]])|date=1 April 2019|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718035004/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/truecaller-redbus-bus-ticket-booking-app-android-india-2015847|url-status=live}}</ref> redBus afterwards announced a partnership with [[Google Maps]] to display information on busses that ply between cities with the time and date services to enhance user experience.<ref>{{cite news|title=redBus Is Now ON Google Maps|url=https://www.digit.in/press-release/general/redbus-is-now-on-google-maps-43209.html|publisher=Digit.in|date=31 August 2018|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801124333/https://www.digit.in/press-release/general/redbus-is-now-on-google-maps-43209.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Roundup: Mahindra Pantero, MakeMyTrip, RedBus, Mahindra Comviva|url=http://www.medianama.com/2013/02/223-roundup-mahindra-pantero-makemytrip-redbus-mahindra-comviva/|publisher=Medianama|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801124334/http://www.medianama.com/2013/02/223-roundup-mahindra-pantero-makemytrip-redbus-mahindra-comviva/|url-status=live}}</ref>
June 2019, redBus started ride sharing operations - rPool, across Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad. rPool is an option that helps ride givers to share(pool) their vehicle to fellow ride takers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.redbus.in/rpool |title=Bikepool & Carpool for Professionals |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428224138/https://www.redbus.in/rpool |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://inc42.com/buzz/redbus-launches-carpooling-service-rpool-in-three-cities/|title = RedBus Launches Carpooling Service rPool in Three Cities|date = 12 June 2019|access-date = 30 April 2020|archive-date = 10 December 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191210041121/https://inc42.com/buzz/redbus-launches-carpooling-service-rpool-in-three-cities/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/personal-finance-news/redbus-launches-carpooling/articleshow/69798125.cms?from=mdr|title=RedBus launches carpooling|newspaper=The Economic Times|last1=Singh|first1=Shipra|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405020948/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/personal-finance-news/redbus-launches-carpooling/articleshow/69798125.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 26 November 2019, redBus partnered with [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] [[India]] to launch a bus ticket booking service on Amazon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/amazon-india-launches-bus-ticket-bookings-in-tie-up-with-redbus-11574763817267.html|title=Amazon India launches bus ticket bookings in tie-up with redBus|date=26 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128000608/https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/amazon-india-launches-bus-ticket-bookings-in-tie-up-with-redbus-11574763817267.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=Bus ticketing platform redBus estimates 75 lakh Indians travelling during Republic Day weekend |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/in-focus/story/bus-ticketing-platform-redbus-estimates-75-lakh-indians-travelling-during-republic-day-weekend-367710-2023-01-26 |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Business Today |language=en |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603134039/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/in-focus/story/bus-ticketing-platform-redbus-estimates-75-lakh-indians-travelling-during-republic-day-weekend-367710-2023-01-26 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Funding==
In 2007, redBus received its first round of funding of $1 million ({{INR|30 million}}) from SeedFund<ref name="rediff"/> and undisclosed investors. SeedFund had invested $500,000 in the company while other investors accounted for the remaining $500,000 investment.<ref name="medianama1"/>
In 2009, the company raised a funding of a $2.5 million from Inventus Capital Partners, Seed Fund and other unnamed [[investor]]s.<ref name="techcrunch"/><ref name="medianama1"/>
In 2011, redBus raised another funding of $6.5 million from Helion Venture Partners, Seedfund and Inventus Capital.<ref name="techcrunch"/><ref name="timesofindia"/>
In 2013, redBus was acquired by [[Ibibo|Ibibo Group]], a subsidiary of [[South Africa]]’s Naspers.<ref name="techinasia">{{cite news|last1=Millward|first1=Steven|title=Why Sell to Ibibo? And Why Now? Redbus CEO Phanindra Sama Explains|url=https://www.techinasia.com/redbus-cofounder-explains-ibibo-acquisition|publisher=[[Tech in Asia]]|date=24 June 2013|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731033727/https://www.techinasia.com/redbus-cofounder-explains-ibibo-acquisition|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia"/><ref name="techcrunch"/>
==Awards and recognition==
* 2012: Named as a Fast Company amongst the world's 50 most innovative companies in 2012<ref name="timesofindia"/>
* 2014: ‘Global Mobile Innovation’ in Travel Award by Eyefortravel<ref name="EyeforTravel">{{cite news|title=EyeforTravel: Online Travel Insights|url=https://eyefortravelblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/winners-of-mobile-innovation-in-travel.html|publisher=Eyefortravelblog|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123857/https://eyefortravelblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/winners-of-mobile-innovation-in-travel.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2014: the Most Innovative Company of the Year award by [[Business Standard]]<ref>{{cite news|title=BS Annual Awards: Saluting the spirit of entrepreneurship|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bs-annual-awards-saluting-the-spirit-of-entrepreneurship-114033100015_1.html|publisher=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123857/https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bs-annual-awards-saluting-the-spirit-of-entrepreneurship-114033100015_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2015: ‘The Most Trusted Brand’ by IBC InfoMedia in 2015<ref name="thebrandtrustreport">{{cite news|title=e-Brands Face Trust Shuffle: Brand Trust Report Google leads for fifth year; Facebook falls; Twitter misses the bus|url=https://thebrandtrustreport.wordpress.com/tag/redbus-in/|publisher=The Brand Trust Report|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123858/https://thebrandtrustreport.wordpress.com/tag/redbus-in/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2015: Most trusted brand in the online travel category and the 13th most trusted internet brand in the overall rankings as per the Brand Trust Report, India Study 2015.
==See also==
* [[Internet booking engine]]
* [[MakeMyTrip]]
* [[Ibibo]]
==External links==
* {{Official|https://www.redbus.in}}
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rails.red RedRail app]
* [https://www.redbus.sg/ redBus Singapore]
* [https://www.redbus.my/ redBus Malaysia]
* [https://www.redbus.com.kh/ redBus Cambodia]
* [https://www.redbus.vn/ redBus Vietnam]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Travel ticket search engines}}
[[Category:Travel ticket search engines]]
[[Category:Indian travel websites]]
[[Category:Online travel agencies]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:Companies based in Karnataka]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Online companies of India]]