Chennai, Nov 10 (NationPress) In a significant digital transformation for public transport, commuters across Tamil Nadu will soon have the opportunity to book tickets for state-run buses via WhatsApp, streamlining the ticketing process to be more efficient, user-friendly, and entirely cashless.

The Tamil Nadu Mobility and Logistics Corporation Limited (TNMLC), operating under the State Transport Department, has initiated a tendering process to choose multiple payment gateway service providers for integration with the Online Ticket Reservation System (OTRS).

This initiative aims to unify the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), all Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations (TNSTCs), and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) under a singular digital platform accessible via WhatsApp.

At present, tickets for government bus services are purchased through a variety of platforms including the official website, mobile applications, e-Seva, franchisee centers, kiosks, and API-based portals.

Once the WhatsApp system is launched, passengers will be able to book, make payments, and receive e-tickets directly on their smartphones. Payment methods will include UPI, credit and debit cards, QR-based systems, and widely-used digital wallets like Google Pay, PhonePe, and WhatsApp Pay.

Officials have stated that this new initiative will greatly benefit the thousands of passengers who depend on SETC and TNSTC services for long-distance and inter-district travel. Together, these organizations operate over 5,000 buses, which include deluxe, sleeper, and air-conditioned coaches.

As the nodal agency for the OTRS, TNMLC currently oversees an average of 17,976 seat bookings daily and approximately 5.87 lakh bookings monthly. Notably, around 85 percent of these bookings are made through online and mobile platforms, with the remainder managed by franchisee counters.

First introduced in 2011, the OTRS has progressively developed into a robust digital framework that allows passengers to reserve seats from anywhere within the state and even from outside Tamil Nadu.

The incorporation of WhatsApp ticketing is expected to enhance accessibility for passengers in rural and semi-urban areas, particularly for those less acquainted with web-based booking systems.

As part of this upcoming upgrade, TNMLC has also mandated the creation of a 24/7 helpdesk in Chennai, operated by the chosen payment gateway partners. This helpdesk will assist with payment and booking inquiries in both Tamil and English, ensuring continuous support for commuters.