Editor’s Note
redBus, India’s leading online bus ticketing platform, has launched NOVA, a new B2B marketplace designed to modernize the country’s intercity bus operations. This move signals a strategic expansion for the company beyond its core ticketing business.
New Delhi: redBus on Thursday announced the launch of NOVA, an integrated B2B online marketplace aimed at strengthening and modernising India’s intercity bus ecosystem, marking a strategic expansion of the company’s B2B portfolio beyond ticketing.
Positioned as an industry-first platform, NOVA connects more than 6,000 bus operators with verified vendors offering bus-related products and services across India. The marketplace enables operators, especially small and mid-sized businesses, to access technology, safety solutions and operational tools at 20–40% discounted prices, improving efficiency and margins.
NOVA allows bus owners to discover and procure safety products such as CCTV systems, alcohol testing meters and driver monitoring systems, along with services including safety audits and driver training. The platform also supports operational efficiency through offerings such as passenger announcement systems, onboard diagnostics for vehicle health and preventive maintenance, and fuel additives that claim fuel savings of up to 5%.
The marketplace is integrated with redPro, redBus’ cloud-based analytics platform, allowing operators to view dashboards, analytics and insights related to purchased products and services within a single interface. The integration is also designed to help mobility start-ups and vendors gain direct access to a large base of intercity bus operators.
India has the world’s second-largest road network, and the intercity bus market is estimated at ₹47,443 crore, with initiatives such as NOVA expected to support sector growth.
In its pilot phase, more than 100 operators have placed at least one order on NOVA, with the company expecting adoption to scale significantly in the coming months.
The platform also aims to address industry issues such as fragmented sourcing, inconsistent product quality and delayed vendor payments, offering secure and timely settlements through redBus’ integrated settlement framework. Only verified vendors are listed to ensure reliability and competitive pricing.
With NOVA, redBus said it aims to position itself as an end-to-end enabler of India’s mobility ecosystem. The new vertical will operate on a scalable revenue model through product listings, lead generation, commissions and advertising.