MakeMyTrip is evaluating the acquisition of car and bike pooling platform Quick Ride, according to people familiar with the ongoing discussions. The proposed transaction is currently in the due diligence phase, with both companies reviewing business details and deal terms. If completed, the move would deepen MakeMyTrip's presence in daily urban commuting and corporate mobility.
Proposed Deal Structure and Strategic Goals
The acquisition is being explored through redBus, MakeMyTrip's bus ticketing and mobility arm. People familiar with the matter said the transaction would likely involve a combination of cash and equity, although final terms remain under discussion. redBus already operates rPool, a carpooling service that connects verified professionals traveling along similar routes for daily office commutes.
Quick Ride's Business and Investor Backing
Quick Ride was founded in 2015 by KNM Rao and is headquartered in Bengaluru. The platform enables commuters to share car and bike rides along common routes, while also offering dedicated solutions for corporate employees. It previously raised capital from Sequoia Capital India, now Peak XV, Naspers, and Venture Highway, and in 2019 closed a Series B round of ₹100.78 crore (US$14.4 million).
Corporate Commute Focus
Quick Ride's platform is designed to serve both individual commuters and corporate clients, offering structured daily office commute solutions. The company has built a network of users who can share rides along common routes, including two wheeler options for shorter trips. These capabilities could complement redBus's existing rPool service and broaden MakeMyTrip's corporate travel portfolio.
Changes in Shareholding and Investor Exits
Quick Ride's shareholding pattern has shifted notably over recent years. Naspers, which is now part of Prosus, held a 20.81% stake in 2020, but regulatory filings reviewed by Entrackr show that figure has fallen to around 0.10%. Venture Highway no longer appears as a significant shareholder, and the timing and nature of these stake reductions remain unclear.
Sequoia Capital India had exited Quick Ride through a secondary transaction in February 2021, according to an earlier Entrackr report. The investor, which backed the company in its Series A and Series B rounds, reportedly recovered 40% to 50% of its investment. These secondary transactions may have contributed to the changes in Quick Ride's investor composition before the current acquisition talks.
What This Means for India's Mobility Market
A successful acquisition would help MakeMyTrip strengthen its commuter network and expand beyond long distance travel into daily urban mobility. The deal would also position redBus to compete more directly in the corporate commute segment, where verified carpooling and bike pooling are gaining traction. It may also support integrated offerings across buses, cars, and shared rides for working professionals.
MakeMyTrip has declined to comment on the proposed acquisition, while Quick Ride did not respond to multiple follow-ups at the time of publication. The timeline for completing the deal has not been determined, and terms could still change as due diligence progresses. For now, the potential transaction signals that established travel platforms are increasingly looking to consolidate daily commute services within India's broader mobility ecosystem.
Source: Entrackr