New Delhi, October 26, 2023 : redBus, the world’s largest online bus ticketing platform, in an extraordinary leap towards fostering rural connectivity and empowering Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), has enrolled 30,000 VLEs as ticketing agents across the country, since 2018. This was done in association with Common Service Centres (CSC) on the Digital Seva portal, a Government of India initiative to allow citizens in rural areas access to digital resources and business services. This extraordinary milestone reflects redBus’s commitment to enabling the ecosystem with sustainable growth levers and also underscores its role in supporting India’s digital transformation.
From just 200 active agents in 2018 across India, the VLE network has grown exponentially, reaching 27,000+ in 2023. 10% of all VLEs are women. This remarkable growth in five years demonstrates the soaring demand for accessible travel booking options as well as the systematic network to cater to the demand. The collaborative effort between redBus and CSC has fuelled remarkable growth in total number of VLEs in the rural regions, particularly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, that have witnessed the VLEs grow from 17 to 1204, 28 to 1318 and 8 to 1227 respectively, since 2018.
redBus has not only transformed the way people travel, but has also become a catalyst for economic empowerment. VLEs who partner with redBus benefit from an innovative revenue model further bolstering income opportunities for entrepreneurs in villages.
Speaking about this initiative and achievement, Manoj Agarwala, Chief Business Officer, redBus said, “Our collaboration with CSC has unlocked tremendous potential, not only making bus travel more accessible and convenient for millions across rural India, but also supporting entrepreneurship in smaller towns. The tremendous growth of our VLE network is a reflection of our commitment to the overall development of the online travel ecosystem, particularly in rural regions. We are happy to support a more inclusive and digitally connected India.”
Speaking on this occasion, Shri Sanjay Rakesh, MD and CEO-CSC SPV said, “This service is aimed at providing a convenient way for people all across the country to travel, especially in rural areas. I am happy to note that around 30,000 VLEs are working as redBus ticket agents, even in the remotest corner of the country. Now rural passengers in far flung areas have access to more round-the-clock bus ticket booking options.”
To further support these entrepreneurs, redBus offers an array of services, including issue resolution, booking assistance, and immediate support through dedicated WhatsApp groups. As redBus continues to expand its network and empower more VLEs, it strives to transform the rural landscape of bus transport in India, making it convenient and hassle-free.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
