Grace Ashiru
Busbud, an international platform for booking ground travel, has acquired Ratality, a South African company specializing in revenue management optimization software for ground travel operators. This acquisition is anticipated to enable Busbud to expand its value proposition by incorporating revenue management capabilities, thereby positioning itself as a comprehensive solution provider for operators globally. The acquisition cost of the South African company has not yet been disclosed by Busbud.
Busbud’s acquisition of Toronto-based Betterez in 2022 marked a significant step forward for the company, enhancing its B2B reservation and ticketing management capabilities. Building on this foundation, Busbud is now poised to broaden its partnership with Ratality, aiming to extend its reach throughout Africa.Busbud’s CEO and Co-founder, LP Maurice, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This is a very special partnership that will add a key missing piece to our growing B2B offering.”
As a result of this acquisition, Busbud plans to incorporate Ratality’s specialized expertise and advanced Revenue Management System (RMS) into its Business Suite. This integration will bring valuable features such as advanced demand forecasting, dynamic pricing, fleet and driver management, and tailored solutions for the charter and rental industry
According to a release from Techpoint Africa, Ratality’s software can boost operator revenues by over 30% year-over-year (YoY).
Busbud is a mobility startup that operates marketplaces centered on ground travel, enabling travelers to book intercity bus and train tickets on more than 3 million routes across over 80 countries globally.
The company also provides B2B software — the Busbud Business Suite — which includes an inventory management system (IMS), a white-label eCommerce platform (E-comm) that allows ground transportation operators to sell tickets online, and a revenue management system (RMS) that helps bus companies maximize cash inflow, following its latest acquisition.
Busbud boasts that its suite has facilitated the sale of hundreds of millions of tickets and is currently utilized by over 350 partners worldwide. The platform aids ground travel operators in efficiently managing their operations and expanding their sales into the online marketplace.
With support for numerous payment and language options, the platform has been deployed in 16 countries. It is a trusted partner for many operators, including 4 of the top 5 in South Africa. The platform’s flexibility accommodates both large and small operators alike, as stated in part of the announcement.
