Soon, book metro tickets on Google Maps using ONDC

Google has announced it is partnering with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to enable ticket booking for metro travel. At the Google for India event on Thursday, the company said Google Maps will soon allow users to book metro tickets and find “authoritative information” about metro transport in various cities. The metro ticketing feature is coming to Google Maps “in the next few months across metros,” but the rollout will depend on how early service partners are ready for integration with the ONDC network.

The metro ticket booking facility will be available through buyer apps, which are integrated into the ONDC network. While the exact process is unclear at the moment, the initiative will help users directly book tickets when they are looking up a metro route in a supported city. Google has not said what metro services will be supported on Google Maps. We are likely to learn more about the upcoming facility as and when it becomes available in the coming months.

Earlier this year, Google announced a partnership with ONDC to introduce an accelerator programme for sellers in India. As part of the partnership, Google and ONDC encourage sellers to come online to sell their products on the platform. It also includes open-sourcing and the implementation of the infrastructure required for operating the ONDC network. At the Thursday event, Google said it is expanding the ONDC partnership to enable Farmer Producer Organisations or FPOs to sell their produce online, giving farmers “greater channels for revenue.”

“ONDC is steadfast in its commitment to empower India’s farmers by facilitating their access to digital markets and harnessing the benefits of e-commerce. With Google’s genAI and cutting-edge tools, we are poised to provide a boost to India’s farmers, enabling them to seamlessly navigate the digital commerce landscape, enhancing their visibility, and accelerating their path to success,” said T Koshy, MD and CEO at ONDC.