Wendy Tang
Shenzhen-based bus commuting startup, DuduBus, has raised RMB 52 million (USD 8.2 million) in series A funding, iFeng Tech reported Tuesday.
Leading this round of funding is Huaxing Alpha who also happens to be DuduBus’ exclusive financial advisor. The five-month old startup raised RMB 12 million (USD 1.9 million) in pre-series A funding in mid-June from Plum Ventures and China Renaissance K2 Ventures.
DuduBus is reported to have services in most first-tier Chinese cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing. According to DuduBus’ website, the startup has 45,000 users online and the buses are often more than 83% full.
Liu Yixun, founder and CEO of DuduBus, told Phoenix Tech that passengers care most about user experience. Besides operating routes that shuttle passengers to and from work, DuduBus implements value-added services including offering breakfasts, newspapers, Wi-Fi on board, special seats for pregnant women, first-aid kits and ponchos.
Liu said he will use the new funding to develop DuduBus’ bus commuting platform, touring services, intercity travel and express airport services. Liu also intends to expand service to include other cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuhan, according to Phoenix Tech.
DuduBus’ biggest rival, Didi Bus, has 11 routes operating in Beijing with 31 more routes to come and plans to open 45 routes in Shenzhen, according to a Phoenix Tech report from July.
Didi Bus is part of the Didi Chuxing platform. Didi Chuxing was formerly known as Didi Kuaidi and changed its name to reflect its expanded service offerings earlier this month.
Didi Chuxing raised USD three billion in funding last week.