Now, you can book seats on SETC buses on private apps
TNN | Dec 15, 2018, 09.00 AM IST
CHENNAI: Booking a seat on long-haul government buses has become easier with their being listed on Red Bus and other private booking apps since the second week of December in a bid to check the drop in patronage.
In the first phase, the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), one of eight state-owned transport corporations, has linked its online bus booking services to Red Bus and Bus India. Soon, Paytm will be added to this list.
SETC operates over 1,100 long-distance buses in Tamil Nadu. Its buses also ply on 250 routes in neighbouring Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
Patronage has been declining for SETC despite introduction of air-conditioned sleeper buses and ultra deluxe buses fitted with toilets.
In July, SETC had adopting a flexi-fare model — reducing fares during weekdays. Later, boarding points were shifted to Egmore and Adyar from Koyambedu as a part of its efforts to attract more passengers. Continuing that drive, SETC has now listed its services on private bus booking apps.
A senior SETC official said, “Passengers will now get to compare fares of government and private buses. In most cases, we charge less than half what private operators do. So we hope more passengers will choose us.”
Except for special buses, there is no surge pricing for SETC buses during the festival. SETC is optimistic that the move will help techies, who frequently visit their native places during weekends and depend on apps to book seats on buses. The apps are easy to use compared to the present Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) website and have a better server backup, the official added.
Also, the contact details of the bus conductor will be available to the passengers when they book and this will assist them in tracking the pick-up points and expected time of arrival.
Once the Global Positioning System (GPS) fitted in the buses is linked with the apps, passengers can even track the vehicles' movement live.
“This initiative is based on the success reported by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation after tying up with private firms and moffusil services will be added to the apps based on the response to the trial,” the SETC official added.
TNN | Dec 15, 2018, 09.00 AM IST
CHENNAI: Booking a seat on long-haul government buses has become easier with their being listed on Red Bus and other private booking apps since the second week of December in a bid to check the drop in patronage.
In the first phase, the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), one of eight state-owned transport corporations, has linked its online bus booking services to Red Bus and Bus India. Soon, Paytm will be added to this list.
SETC operates over 1,100 long-distance buses in Tamil Nadu. Its buses also ply on 250 routes in neighbouring Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
Patronage has been declining for SETC despite introduction of air-conditioned sleeper buses and ultra deluxe buses fitted with toilets.
In July, SETC had adopting a flexi-fare model — reducing fares during weekdays. Later, boarding points were shifted to Egmore and Adyar from Koyambedu as a part of its efforts to attract more passengers. Continuing that drive, SETC has now listed its services on private bus booking apps.
A senior SETC official said, “Passengers will now get to compare fares of government and private buses. In most cases, we charge less than half what private operators do. So we hope more passengers will choose us.”
Except for special buses, there is no surge pricing for SETC buses during the festival. SETC is optimistic that the move will help techies, who frequently visit their native places during weekends and depend on apps to book seats on buses. The apps are easy to use compared to the present Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) website and have a better server backup, the official added.
Also, the contact details of the bus conductor will be available to the passengers when they book and this will assist them in tracking the pick-up points and expected time of arrival.
Once the Global Positioning System (GPS) fitted in the buses is linked with the apps, passengers can even track the vehicles' movement live.
“This initiative is based on the success reported by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation after tying up with private firms and moffusil services will be added to the apps based on the response to the trial,” the SETC official added.
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