India Post has turned into a major distribution channel for ticketing and has launched centralized reservation system (CRS) [termed ease-ticket] for all modes of travel like Air, Rail, Bus and Hotel / Car reservations with a focus to make all forms of travel available in a single platform.
The current launch covers 150 post offices in Karnataka, virtually turning the post offices into multi-purpose ticketing outlets.
The postal department plans to expand to 8000 post offices in the next 12-15 months and in future, will also start accepting requests through Internet as well as call center.
Ease-Ticket product provides real time and last seat availability for all airlines, trains, bus and offers following services:
- Air Tickets (Full Service and Low Cost Carriers)
- Train Tickets (Access to Indian railways ticketing through IRCTC website)
- Hotel Room Reservation
- Bus Tickets
- Car Rental Services
- Tour Packages
- And even Mobile Top ups
India post partnership ranges from operators, domestic airlines, bus operators and most hotels in A, B and C cities.
Does this sounds a threat to OTAs? Unlike OTAs, India post has a great distribution channel and the overall operations relies on low cost model – a boon in the times when travel industry commissions are nearing 0%.
What’s your opinion?
Highly recommended read: Indian Post Office set for Brand Makeover, to sell advertising space
Note: As per Google, the site is being reported attacked and is by default, blocked!
Ashish Sinha