PRTC to launch app for online booking

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 4

In order to cut down on its expenses and facilitate passengers, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) is all set to launch its own mobile app and an online portal for the sale of tickets.

This will not only bring the entire online booking system, which was earlier with private companies, in the hands of the corporation, but will also save the commission that was paid to these companies for the bookings.

There are over 50 Volvo and HVAC buses of the PRTC running across Punjab and other states, and their bookings were done through busindia.com and traveljourney.com, but the corporation has now developed its own software in order to ensure that the passengers can book the tickets directly from the PRTC.

To achieve the same, the corporation has recruited three computer programmers, six computer supervisors and a computer analyst which are working to streamline the online booking system. 

This does not include the online bookings alone, but they will also cater to developing its own website that will carry information about routes and timings, personal information of drivers, conductors and other officials. Also the information pertaining to recruitments, jobs, e-tendering, auctions of the buses and others will also be out on this portal.

PRTC General Manager RS Aulakh informed that this facility would first be made available for PRTC’s HVAC and Goldline buses, and once the working becomes smooth, it can be extended further.

“In a single click, a person sitting in any corner of the world can book the ticket. Moreover, the passengers who get themselves registered with our online portal will not have to pay the transaction charges for booking these tickets,” he added.

Aulakh further said the corporation has tied up with HDFC Bank in this regard and the payment would be put directly in the corporation’s account. He feels that the move will bring the public utility on a par with private bus services that are using online bookings for the convenience of passengers and ensure hassle free bookings.