CatchThatBus raises $1.5M from Jungle Ventures, 500 Startups

Its about time online transportation booking gets recognized in Southeast Asia. CatchThatBus, an online bus-ticketing service, has raised a US$1.5 million pre-series A round from Jungle Ventures and 500 Startups.

Operating in Singapore and Malaysia, CatchThatBus lets users book cross-country trips between both countries through a website or its iOS, Android, or Windows apps. It’s a service that could be perfect for the tons of migrant workers flooding into Singapore from Malaysia over the weekends. Or the Singapore tourist looking for a getaway in the neighboring country.

Through the mobile apps, users can also view real-time information on schedules and seat availability. Singapore-based fund Jungle Ventures is expanding its appetite in startups, with this round coming from its new fund. 500 Startups, meanwhile, is the most prolific investor in Asian startups.

There’ve been a number of services similar to CatchThatBus running in Asia. BusOnlineTicket, written about two years ago, is one example. India’s RedBus is probably the most successful example of such a startup, and it’s now eyeing Southeast Asia for expansion.

With online retail and marketplace plays getting saturated, and logistics getting heated, online transport ticketing is one untapped area that could become crowded next.