Cityflo Enters Kolkata with 200 Buses, Expanding App-Based Commute Options

Kolkata’s urban mobility landscape is witnessing a significant shift as app-based bus operator Cityflo officially enters the city with an initial fleet of around 200 buses.
 

The company will focus on high-demand routes, connecting residential areas to major commercial hubs such as Sector V and New Town, aiming to provide a more structured and reliable daily commute option for working professionals.
 

Backed by prominent investors including Lightbox Ventures, Anupam Mittal, Alteria Capital, and India Quotient, Cityflo has been steadily expanding its footprint across India. With its entry into Kolkata and continued scaling in Delhi-NCR, the company now operates a fleet of over 1,000 buses, three times its size compared to last year, making it one of the largest app-based bus operators in the country.
 

Cityflo currently operates in key metro cities including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR, and now Kolkata, regions that collectively represent a large share of India’s white-collar workforce and face some of the most congested traffic conditions.
 

Speaking on the expansion, Jerin Venad, Co-founder and CEO of Cityflo, highlighted the growing need for dependable shared mobility solutions in urban India. With millions of daily commuters navigating congested corridors, a significant portion still relies on private vehicles, creating an opportunity for organized, app-based alternatives.
 

The company serves over 5 million users annually and has recorded a 50% growth in daily ridership over the past year, indicating a strong shift in commuter preferences. Increasingly, people are opting for pre-booked, predictable transport solutions over both private vehicles and inconsistent public options.
 

Cityflo’s entry also comes at a time when several smaller operators in the segment have faced service disruptions and shutdowns, creating a gap in reliable commute options. The company is positioning reliability and consistency as its key differentiators in an otherwise fragmented market.
 

In Kolkata, this move is expected to provide daily commuters with an alternative to existing services like Uber Shuttle, potentially easing the burden on overcrowded transport systems while offering a more comfortable travel experience.
 

However, scaling operations across cities with varying traffic conditions and regulatory frameworks remains a challenge. As demand for efficient urban mobility solutions continues to rise, Cityflo’s performance in Kolkata will be closely watched.