BusMap – From Bus App to Smart Transportation Platform

BusMap originated from a very specific issue in urban life: traveling by bus was still inconvenient, with a lack of transparent and accessible information for most people. The idea was initiated in 2013 by a group of students from the University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, led by engineer Le Yen Thanh, with the goal of helping the public navigate bus routes more easily.

Initially, BusMap functioned simply as a real-time bus route lookup application, suggesting the most efficient travel routes based on users’ current location, destination, and waiting time. Through continuous research and adjustments, the product gradually developed into a comprehensive transportation technology platform with expanded functionalities.

A key factor behind BusMap’s wide adoption is its ability to manage and update accurate bus map data. Before its introduction, passengers relied mostly on printed guides, outdated electronic boards at stations, or foreign applications such as Google Maps, which often lacked localized and up-to-date information. BusMap addressed this challenge by building a dedicated database that is regularly updated and improved based on user feedback, enhancing the accuracy of route suggestions, wait times, and bus frequency.

Over time, BusMap expanded beyond route lookups to include services such as intercity bus ticket booking, cashback shopping, local information updates, and urban tourism recommendations. These added functions helped broaden its user base beyond public transport users to include tourists and local residents. The application has also been successfully deployed in cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, which share similar issues in their public transportation systems.

A major turning point for BusMap came in 2021, when it received a USD 1.5 million investment from Phenikaa Group and was renamed Phenikaa MaaS. This partnership not only strengthened its financial capacity but also opened a new direction toward developing core technology solutions for large-scale smart mobility systems targeting businesses and local governments. For example, Phenikaa MaaS has developed transport management systems for cities, universities, and industrial parks, applying big data and artificial intelligence to analyze travel behavior and recommend improvements to infrastructure or public transportation schedules.

Throughout its development journey, BusMap has participated in many innovation programs such as TECHFEST Vietnam, AI Hack, and the SK Startup Fellowship. These opportunities allowed the team to connect with investors, mentors, and the broader global startup community.

The experience of BusMap demonstrates that starting from a real market need, persistently testing and improving technology, is essential for a sustainable tech startup. In addition, selecting the right time to scale, attracting strategic investment, and maintaining flexibility in product development are also important. For other technology startups, especially those working in public service sectors, investing in data quality, user experience, and system compatibility is key to building long-term competitiveness.

Currently, Phenikaa MaaS continues to improve its digital transportation solutions, contributing to Vietnam’s smart city development strategy. Its story serves as a practical example of how a tech startup can grow sustainably by staying focused on real needs, understanding its users, and making effective use of support from the innovation ecosystem.

Share post

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Telegram
Email

Most Relevant

Featured Case Studies

Contact us

We'd like to listen from you