Can this startup reshape mobility in Southeast Asia?

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Hi readers,

I live in Singapore, a tiny island that’s about 42 kilometers from end to end. Fortunately, we have a pretty efficient public transportation that spans most of the island, although there are still some parts – like the small farm I used to work at – that are almost inaccessible unless you have your own vehicle, are willing to splurge on cab fare, or are prepared to go on a walk for an hour or two.

Still, this pales in comparison to the rest of Southeast Asia, where fragmented transportation systems, congested roads, and a lack of digitalization can make getting around a tiresome experience or a battle with inefficiency. Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) providers could make a difference, and that’s what a startup called Bussr wants to do.

Today we look at,

• How MaaS firm Bussr wants to reshape transportation in Southeast Asia
• What fresh funding will do for this Vietnamese digital media startup
• Other newsy highlights such as Flash Coffee’s expansion into Taiwan and the IPO plans of the firm behind Apple Maps in India

PREMIUM SUMMARY

We like to move it, move it

Transportation has come far from the days of riding on horseback and traveling on foot. But in many parts of Southeast Asia, getting from point A to point B can be a pain – long queues, congested roads, and different forms of transportation all make up the experience. That’s where MaaS startup Bussr comes into the picture.

• Tackling the inefficiencies: Transportation infrastructure in cities like Bangkok and Jakarta isn’t catching up with current urbanization rates, leading to air pollution and significant losses as a result of traffic congestion. Additionally, many operators and customers aren’t digitally-savvy, which means buying tickets often involves long queues and wait times.
• Helping people move: Bussr aims to bring travel operators online by providing them with ticket-booking solutions which work for both online and offline customers. It also wants to connect transport operators on its back end, providing customers with a comprehensive journey plan.
• Time will tell: It’s still early days, but Bussr has big plans, such as integrating micromobility and paramobility options into its platform, as well as utilizing the data it’s collected to help governments improve transportation infrastructure and make mobility easy for all.

Read more: Startup with prominent investors is quietly reshaping Indonesian transport

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

All the right media

Ka-ching! Vietnam-based digital media startup Vietcetera has raised US$2.7 million in a pre-series A round led by North Base Media. Gojek’s Go-Ventures and Indonesia-based venture capital firm East Ventures participated in this round as well, among other investors.

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