However, the amount of the funding was not disclosed. But the company said “the funding will be used to capture the RM1 billion intercity bus ticketing market in Malaysia and Singapore and establish footprint in rest of South-east Asia”

CatchThatBus has also previously entered into a strategic partnership with MakeMyTrip, which allows it to leverage on the latter’s expertise and technology for the travel industry.

In an earlier interview with WIT, CatchThatBus founders, Ashwin Jeyapalasingam, COO (pictured left in photo), and Viren Doshi, co-founder and CEO (pictured right) said they formed the company in late 2012 “to bring about a positive change in the travel and transportation industry through the delivery of demand-driven revolutionary and innovative ideas.”

They also have the goal of making bus travel what Expedia is to flights, hotels and activities and Agoda to hotels – in other words, they want to be South-east Asia’s leading online bus ticket platform. (read story here).

The company has achieved part of this vision, having revolutionised the way consumers buy bus tickets, which is through its website and on its mobile app, and convincing bus companies to list on its platform.

According to Ashwin, CatchThatBus now provides reach to over 500 destinations throughout Malaysia and Singapore, bookable via its website and the Android app. It also has on its platform leading bus operators from both countries including Plusliner, Nice, Transnasional, Airport Coach, Intercity Express and Starmart Express.

With the fresh injection of funds Viren said the company, which also positions itself as an online travel agent specialising in bus-related travel in the region, would also focus on developing its mobile app, currently available on Android devices, with an iOS app on the way.

“With more consumers now accessing the Internet via mobile phone than through broadband, and smartphone and tablet shipments outstripping that of PCs, we’re focused on developing our mobile ticketing app – the first dedicated bus ticketing app in the region for Android phones.”

Tapping into these trends will allow consumers the convenience of purchasing tickets on their mobile phone and also online, added Viren.

Amit Anand, partner Jungle Ventures, said, “After travelmob, it is a privilege to be associated with another exciting star-up that is solving a hard problem in the Asia Pacific.  The team has brought the entire intercity segment in Malaysia online and we are very excited about the prospects for the company”.

Jungle’s investments include Singapore-based travelmob (majority acquired by HomeAway), Malaysia-based iMoney, India based Zipdial, Singapore-based CrayonData, Australia based Edrolo, and Singapore-based fastacash.