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Chennai, Nov 10 (IANS) In a major digital upgrade for public transport, passengers across Tamil Nadu will soon be able to book state-run bus tickets through WhatsApp, making the ticketing process faster, easier and completely cashless.
Tamil Nadu Mobility and Logistics Corporation Limited (TNMLC), which functions under the State Transport Department, has invited tenders to select multiple payment gateway service providers to integrate with the Online Ticket Reservation System (OTRS).
The move aims to bring the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), all Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations (TNSTCs), and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) under a single digital platform accessible through WhatsApp.
Currently, tickets for government bus services are booked through various channels such as the official website, mobile app, e-seva and franchise centres, kiosks and API-based portals.
Once the WhatsApp system is operational, passengers can book, pay and receive e-tickets directly on their mobile phones. Payment options will include UPI, credit and debit cards, QR-based systems and popular digital wallets like Google Pay, PhonePe and WhatsApp Pay.
Officials said the new initiative will benefit thousands of commuters who depend on SETC and TNSTC services for long distance and inter-district travel. These corporations together operate more than 5,000 buses, which include deluxe, sleeper and air-conditioned coaches.
TNMLC, which acts as the nodal agency for OTRS, currently handles an average of 17,976 seat bookings per day and around 5.87 lakh bookings every month. Of this, about 85 per cent comes through online and mobile platforms, with the rest handled by franchise counters.
Introduced in 2011, OTRS has gradually evolved into a robust digital system that allows passengers to reserve seats from anywhere in the state and even from outside Tamil Nadu.
The addition of WhatsApp ticketing is expected to further improve accessibility for passengers in rural and semi-urban areas, especially those who are less familiar with web-based booking portals.
As part of the upcoming upgrade, TNMLC has also directed the setting up of a 24/7 helpdesk in Chennai, which will be operated by selected payment gateway partners. The helpdesk will handle payment and booking queries in both Tamil and English languages, ensuring round-the-clock assistance for passengers.
–IANS
AL/DPB