Kenyan startups BuuPass, a digital ticketing platform, and Flexpay, a goal-based savings platform, have partnered to simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.
Founded in 2016 by Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.
So far, the startup has sold over 16 million travel tickets and generated over US$100 million in total value of goods sold, while it has also taken part in the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa and been backed by the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. It also acquired counterpart QuickPass earlier this year.
FlexPay, meanwhile, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa. Through FlexPay, merchants give their customers the freedom to choose how and when to pay for high-value goods and services.
The collaboration between the two allows travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over 4-12 weeks. Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments. This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.
“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance,” said Sonia Kabra, co-founder at Buupass. “This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially.”
“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals,” said Richard Machomba, CEO and Founder of Flexpay. “By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming.”
