Zaakpay, a wholly owned subsidiary of One MobiKwik Systems Limited, has announced a strategic partnership with Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to launch a first-of-its-kind chat-based bus ticketing service across Odisha.
The initiative aims to digitise and simplify ticket booking for approximately 24 million annual commuters, enabling seamless processing of nearly 36 million bus rides every year.
The innovative solution integrates a user-friendly WhatsApp-based interface, allowing passengers to book tickets, make payments, and access digital passes directly through the platform. The service has been developed with PeLocal as the technology integration partner and Zaakpay as the payment gateway provider.
It is currently live across nine major cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Konark, Khordha, and Pipili, offering a fully contactless and convenient commuting experience.
The WhatsApp chatbot supports both English and Odia, enabling users to book tickets, view recent transactions, submit grievances, and access FAQs using simple text-based commands.
To enhance accessibility, the platform supports multiple payment modes, including UPI, credit and debit cards, and net banking, reducing dependence on cash and physical tickets while promoting sustainability and efficiency in public transportation.
Commenting on the development, Abhishek Mukherji, Vice President & Business Head of Zaakpay, said, “Our partnership with CRUT is a step towards redefining mobility by making it easier and more accessible for everyone. Through the simplicity of WhatsApp, we are enabling a frictionless digital payment experience that will inspire millions of Indians to embrace cashless travel.”
Dr. N Thirumala Naik, IAS, Managing Director of CRUT, highlighted that the initiative reflects the agency’s vision of making urban transport smarter, more inclusive, and commuter-friendly, while Vibhor Jain, Acting CEO and COO of ONDC, emphasized that integrating CRUT’s ticketing system with ONDC’s open network is laying the foundation for seamless multimodal mobility across India.
Vibhor Jain, Acting CEO and COO at ONDC, said, “The open rails of the ONDC Network are unlocking public transport inventory in Odisha – making it digitally accessible for all. With CRUT’s bus ticketing integrated onto the network, commuters can seamlessly discover and book their rides through a simplified WhatsApp interface, developed by Pelocal with secured payments powered by Zaakpay. Together, such innovations demonstrate how open networks are laying the foundation for the future of multimodal mobility, with a vision to seamlessly unify every mode of daily commute into one digital experience for India.”
Zaakpay, an RBI-licensed payment aggregator since April 2025, is one of the four leading payment gateways integrated with Meta’s WhatsApp for Business.
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