Ride-hailing giant Uber has taken a significant step in expanding its mobility ecosystem by launching intercity bus ticket booking on its app in India. In a global first for the company, India has been chosen as the debut market for this new product category.
The move marks Uber’s entry into the country’s intercity bus integration space, allowing users to plan and book long-distance bus journeys directly within the Uber app.
To power the service, Uber has partnered with AbhiBus, a bus ticketing platform owned by travel technology firm Ixigo. The collaboration gives Uber users access to AbhiBus’s extensive network of bus operators, routes and schedules across India.
With this launch, Uber is broadening its intercity mobility portfolio, which already includes city-to-city car rides, and positioning itself as a multi-modal travel platform rather than just a ride-hailing service.
Turning Uber App Into Travel Marketplace
The new feature allows Uber riders to search, compare and book intercity bus tickets directly through the app, removing the need to switch between different travel platforms.
Through the integration with AbhiBus, users can view available buses, seat options, departure times and pricing before completing bookings seamlessly within the Uber ecosystem.
Industry observers say the move reflects Uber’s broader strategy of transforming its platform into a one-stop mobility marketplace, where users can plan multiple modes of travel—ranging from local rides and rentals to long-distance trips.
India’s intercity bus market is vast and fragmented, with thousands of private operators serving millions of passengers daily. By integrating with a major bus aggregator like AbhiBus, Uber is effectively tapping into a large and growing travel segment without having to build its own bus network.
Promotional Discounts To Drive Early Adoption
To encourage riders to try the new feature, Uber has introduced launch offers for intercity bus bookings. Users will receive a 25% discount (up to ₹200) on their first Uber Intercity Bus booking. This will be followed by 10% discounts (up to ₹100) on the next three bookings.
The promotional campaign is expected to drive early adoption among Uber’s large user base, many of whom already use the platform for city rides and intercity car travel.
India: A Global Innovation Hub For Uber
Uber executives emphasised that the launch highlights India’s growing importance in the company’s global innovation strategy. Uber chief technology officer Praveen Neppalli Naga said India plays a crucial role in developing new technologies and products for the global platform.
“India is one of Uber’s most important innovation hubs globally. Teams here are building technologies that power Uber’s next phase of growth worldwide. The launch of intercity bus ticketing reflects how products incubated in India are shaping our global roadmap, while expanding choice for riders through a trusted, reliable Uber experience.”
Uber’s engineering and product teams in India have increasingly been involved in developing solutions that are later rolled out in other markets.
Rising Demand For Long-Distance Road Travel
Uber India and South Asia president Prabhjeet Singh said improvements in infrastructure are creating new opportunities for road-based travel services. He noted that better highways and improved road connectivity across India are making long-distance travel faster and more convenient.
This shift is encouraging travellers to explore more flexible options beyond traditional rail or air travel, especially for short- to medium-distance routes between cities.
Industry analysts believe the demand for intercity mobility is growing rapidly as India’s highway network expands and travel patterns evolve, particularly among younger travellers and working professionals.
Strategic Partnership With AbhiBus
Uber’s collaboration with AbhiBus is central to the new offering. Founded as a bus ticketing platform, AbhiBus aggregates services from hundreds of private bus operators across thousands of routes in India. Its technology platform enables real-time seat availability, booking and payment services.
By integrating AbhiBus into its ecosystem, Uber gains immediate access to a large supply network of bus operators and routes, allowing it to scale the service quickly without building new infrastructure. For AbhiBus and its parent company Ixigo, the partnership provides access to Uber’s massive user base and app ecosystem, potentially driving higher booking volumes.