AIMS COLLEGE

Tribhuvan University
Institute of Science and Technology

A Proposal Report On
"An Online Bus Ticketing System"
In Partial Fulfilment of Requirements for the bachelor’s degree in computer science and
information technology (BSc. CSIT)

Submitted to
Department of Computer Science and Information Technology
AIMS College
Biratnagar, Nepal

Submitted by
Suresh Bhujel (27308/077)
Anish Phuyal (27291/077)
Sandesh Pokhrel (27304/2077)

Date: 4th Bhadra, 2081

ABSTRACT

The development of an "online bus ticketing system" is proposed to make the vision into reality
by transforming the traditional ticketing process into a smooth, digital experience. The Online
Bus Ticketing System aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of bus travel, reduce
manual processing, and improve overall customer satisfaction by leveraging modern web
technologies and streamlined operational workflows.

In most cases, customers must physically visit ticket booths under the present system, which
causes long lines, lost time, and annoyance, particularly during times of high travel demand.
Passengers are unable to purchase tickets beforehand or from far-off areas using this antiquated
approach. The lack of ticket counters and agents also makes it impossible for many people living
in rural or smaller communities to use bus ticketing facilities. To overcome all these problems,
this system offers users a convenient and efficient way to search for bus routes, compare
schedules, and book tickets from anywhere with internet access. By leveraging real-time data
and automated processes, the platform ensures up-to-date information on bus availability, ticket
pricing, and seat reservations. Features include secure payment options, electronic ticket
generation, and user account management for modifying bookings.

This system features a dynamic user interface built with HTML and CSS, ensuring an intuitive
and visually appealing experience. Users can browse available bus routes, select departure and
arrival points, view schedules, and book tickets in real-time. PHP, as the server-side scripting
language, facilitates the processing of user requests, including ticket reservations, and updates to
user profiles. MySQL is employed for efficient data storage and management, handling
information such as user details, ticket records, bus schedules, and seat availability.

Moreover, this system includes secure user registration and authentication, real-time seat
availability updates, automated ticket generation, and payment integration. It also incorporates
administrative features like managing bus schedules, monitor bookings. By integrating these
technologies, the system aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of bus travel, reducing
manual processing errors and improving overall customer satisfaction.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................ii
LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................iv
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................6
2. Problem Statement.........................................................................................................................6
3. Objectives.......................................................................................................................................7
4. Methodology..................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Requirement identification...................................................................................................8
4.1.1 Literature Review..........................................................................................................8
4.1.2 Hardware and Software Requirements........................................................................11
4.2 Requirement Analysis........................................................................................................12
4.2.1 Functional Requirements.............................................................................................12
4.2.1.1 Use Case Diagram.............................................................................................13
4.2.2 Non-Functional Requirements.....................................................................................14
4.3 Feasibility study.................................................................................................................15
4.3.1 Technical Feasibility....................................................................................................15
4.3.2 Operational Feasibility.................................................................................................15
4.3.3 Economic Feasibility...................................................................................................15
4.3.4 legal Feasibility............................................................................................................16
4.3.5 Schedule Feasibility.....................................................................................................16
4.4 High-Level Design of System............................................................................................17
4.4.1 system flowchart..........................................................................................................18
4.4.2 Description of algorithm..............................................................................................19

5. Expected Outcome.......................................................................................................................20
6. References.............................................................................................................................21
 List of Figures

Figure 1: Flowchart for Admin......................................................................................................17

Figure 2: Flowchart for Users........................................................................................................18
Figure 3: Use case Diagram...........................................................................................................13

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 List of Table

Table 1: Gantt chart for tasks and its duration...............................................................................16

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1. Introduction:
Millions of commuters and tourists across Nepal rely on the bus transit system, which is essential
to the nation's transportation network. Nevertheless, the conventional way of acquiring bus
tickets entails lengthy lines, discomfort, and restricted accessibility, making the entire procedure
for customers less effective and disagreeable. Utilizing technology to improve and optimize
Nepal's bus ticketing procedure is essential in the digital age. This proposal seeks to implement
an online bus ticketing system particularly created for Nepal, solving the issues and offering
users a practical and user-friendly interface for buying and managing bus tickets electronically.
This approach, which embraces technological advances, will transform how bus tickets are
bought, making it easier, more convenient, and more effective for travelers in Nepal.

2. Problem Statement
A multitude of problems with Nepal's conventional bus reservation system limit the effectiveness
and comfort of bus travel for both passengers and bus owners. Customers must physically visit
ticket booths under the present system, which causes long lines, lost time, and annoyance,
particularly during times of high travel demand. Passengers are unable to purchase tickets
beforehand or from far-off areas using this antiquated approach. The lack of ticket counters and
agents also makes it impossible for many people living in rural or smaller communities to use
bus ticketing facilities. Their capacity to adequately plan and reserve bus trips is constrained by
this lack of accessibility.

Moreover, Human mistakes, such as improper ticket issuing, multiple reservations, and
inconsistencies in fee computation, are common in the manual ticket processing. Uncertainty,
disagreements, and annoyance can result from these mistakes for both customers and bus
companies. Also, finding accurate and current information regarding bus schedules, prices, seat
availability, and departure/arrival times can be difficult for passengers. Their capacity to plan
their vacation and make educated judgments is hampered by this lack of information.

In order to overcome these difficulties, Nepal urgently needs to implement an online bus
ticketing system that makes use of technology to speed up the ticketing process, increase
accessibility, and better the entire travel experience for passengers. Nepal can get beyond the

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drawbacks of the current system and build a bus ticketing ecosystem that is more effective and
customer-focused by adopting digital platforms and automation.

3. Objectives
The main objectives of implementing an Online Bus Ticketing System in Nepal are as follows:
 Enhancing Convenience: The technology will allow travelers to buy bus tickets at any
time, from any location, with no need to physically visit ticket booths and wait in line.
 Increasing Accessibility: By utilizing the potential of the internet and mobile devices, a
broader audience will have exposure to the structure, especially individuals who live in
rural places and have difficulty accessing conventional ticketing facilities.
 Transparency: The web platform will promote transparency by giving users access to
precise and recent data about bus schedules, prices, seat availability, and departure/arrival
times.
 Enhancing the Customer Experience: The system will dramatically enhance the entire
customer experience, rendering traveling by bus more easy, pleasant, and dependable.
Features include seat selection, numerous payment choices, and real-time updates.

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4. Methodology
4.1 Requirement Identification:
The first step in implementing an Online Bus Ticketing System for Nepal is to clearly identify
the requirements and needs of the various stakeholders involved, including passengers, bus
operators, travel agencies, government authorities, and technology providers. This involves
conducting surveys, interviews, and workshops to gather feedback and insights on the current
challenges faced by each group and their expectations from the new system. The requirements
identified will serve as the foundation for designing and developing the online ticketing system.

4.1.1 Literature review

There has been various research and work conducted in the area of online bus ticketing systems.
Some of the researches conducted are given below:

According to Cyril, A., George, V., & Mulangi, R. H. (2017) [1] in their study entitled
"Electronic ticket machine data analytics for public bus transport planning", This paper
explores how data from Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs) can be used to improve bus
transport planning. The focus is on data collected by the Kerala State Road Transport
Corporation (KSRTC) from 2010 to 2013 in Trivandrum city. Despite its large volume, this
ETM data hasn't been fully utilized for transportation planning. The study shows how to analyze
this data to understand passenger demand, assess the performance of bus services, and improve
service effectiveness. By using a MATLAB program, researchers can determine where
passengers start and end their journeys (origin-destination matrix), which helps in planning and
decision-making for future transit needs. The paper also discusses methods for analyzing
passenger flow on the transit network and boarding/alighting patterns at bus stops. It proposes
developing MATLAB programs for these analyses and using time-series approaches for short-
term demand forecasting. Overall, the paper outlines analytical methods to make better use of
ETM data for public transport planning and strategy.

On the other hand, study entitled “Smart E-Ticketing System for Public Transport Bus” done
by S. Kazi, M. Bagasrawala, F. Shaikh and A. Sayyed (2018), [2] In India, public transport
buses are crucial, with cities like Mumbai and Delhi seeing 10-15 million bus travelers daily. As
part of the Digital India and Cashless Economy initiatives, there's a push to modernize public

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transport. Despite generally good service, issues like long waiting times, non-refundable
balances, and lack of seating are common. To address these problems, a new smart application is
proposed. This app will automatically assign seats, allow digital ticket reservations, and enable
cashless payments, aligning with digitalization goals. Passengers will connect to a device at the
bus stop to check seat availability, book tickets, and see estimated waiting times. If no seats are
immediately available, the app will find the next available seat quickly. For those without
smartphones, the device at the bus stop will handle all functions. The app will generate an e-
ticket for verification by the bus conductor and will be available in multiple languages to
accommodate diverse passengers.

In "Efficiency Analysis of Online Ticket Reservation System in Rajasthan State Road

Transport Corporations (2019) [3] by “M. Parihar and V. Sharma” investigates and finds
out that, passenger road transport is crucial for socio-economic development, with both public
and private entities providing services in India. This study focuses on the online reservation
system of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and its associated issues.
Despite improvements in bus capacity and services, RSRTC has faced significant financial
difficulties and continues to operate at a loss. A key challenge is financial inefficiency, which
impacts the ability of RSRTC to attract more passengers and improve services. Although online
ticket reservations are an essential facility in today’s digital age, problems with the current
system still led to passenger dissatisfaction and sometimes conflicts between passengers and
RSRTC staff. This paper examines the existing online ticket booking system at RSRTC,
identifies its problems, and proposes solutions using Information and Communication
Technology (ICT). The aim is to enhance the system's efficiency and passenger satisfaction
while addressing financial constraints faced by RSRTC.

According to “Filipe Araujo, Marilia Curado, Pedro Furtado, Raul Barbosa” in their study
entitled “Taking an Electronic Ticketing System to the Cloud: Design and Discussion
(2014)”, [4] This paper explores the development of an electronic ticketing system for
transportation that can be hosted on the cloud. The goal is to create a system that serves a broad
range of customers, offering two main benefits: reduced operational costs, particularly for
smaller clients without dedicated IT teams, and quicker processing of data queries using cloud

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resources. The proposed solution involves using standard technologies, including a three-tier
architecture to separate online and analytical databases, and an Enterprise Service Bus to
integrate diverse hardware and software. The paper also considers different cloud deployment
options and assesses associated costs. While the paper outlines many system features, it notes
that the work is preliminary and some details remain to be addressed in future development.

Best Practices and Success Stories:

Several examples highlight successful implementations of online bus ticketing systems:
 India's RedBus: RedBus from India is a well-known example of an online bus ticketing
platform that completely changed the way people buy tickets in that country. Seat
selection, real-time bus tracking, and a variety of payment methods are among the
services it provides (RedBus, n.d.). The platform is widely used and regarded as the
industry standard for online ticketing platforms.
 Malaysia's Easybook: Southeast Asia's bus ticketing services are offered through
Malaysia's Easybook, an online ticketing platform. It has an intuitive user interface, safe
payment methods, and connection with other forms of transportation including trains and
ferries (Easybook, n.d.). To serve a wide spectrum of passengers, the platform has
expanded its services to a number of nations.
 Kenya's QuickBus: Kenya's QuickBus is an online ticketing system that has
revolutionized bus travel. With features like real-time bus monitoring and cashless
payments, it provides travelers with the ease of reserving bus tickets using mobile apps
(QuickBus, n.d.). The platform has increased the operational effectiveness of bus
operators and improved customer transport.

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4.1.2 Hardware and Software Requirements

Hardware requirements:

 Processor: Minimum 1 GHz; Recommended 2 GHz or more

 Ethernet connection (LAN) OR a wireless adapter (Wi-Fi)

 Hard Drive: Minimum 32 GB; Recommended 64 GB or more

 Memory (RAM): Minimum 2 GB; Recommended 4 GB or above

Software requirements:

Operating System:
 Windows: 8 or newer
 MAC: OS X v10.7 or higher
 Linux: Ubuntu

Browser:
 Firefox, Chrome (recommended)
 Safari

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4.2 Requirement Analysis:

An essential first step in creating an online bus ticketing system is requirement analysis. To
address the demands of stakeholders, the system must be able to satisfy both functional and non-
functional criteria, which must be identified and documented. An overview of both categories of
criteria is provided in this section.

4.2.1 Functional Requirements:

Functional requirements specify the particular features and functionalities that the online bus
ticketing system must have. The behavior of the system and its interactions with users and other
components are directly impacted by these criteria. The following are some instances of
functional requirements for the online bus ticketing system:
 User Registration and Authentication
 Booking tickets
 Seat Allocation
 Payment Processing
 Booking management
 Notification
 Admin panel
 Security

4.2.1.1. Use Case Diagram

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4.2.2 Non-Functional Requirements:

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Non-functional requirements concentrate on the characteristics and limitations of the system
rather than its particular capabilities. These specifications specify the system's functionality,
security, and other attributes. The following are some instances of non-functional needs for the
online bus ticketing system:
 Performance: The system should be able to support many concurrent users, guaranteeing
quick responses and little downtime.
 Usability: The user interface needs to be simple to use, accessible from a variety of platforms
and devices, and intuitive.
 Scalability: The system needs to be expandable in order to accommodate growing user and
bus operator populations.
 Reliability: The system must be dependable in order to guarantee correct ticket booking, seat
assignment, and prompt user updates.

4.3 Feasibility study:

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The construction of an information system will benefit or be practical for an organization in
relation to its feasibility. Prior to beginning our project, we must expressly state whether the
system we plan to implement is feasible

4.3.1 Technical Feasibility:

To complete the project, we have a reliable platform. This system is implemented by using
PHP& MySQL and for hosting XAMPP is used which is supported by all of the systems and all
the latest browsers. So, it can be used in any Windows OS computer. This system requires very
low system resources and it will work in almost all configurations. Our proposed system is
technically feasible to use by any user.

4.3.2 Operational Feasibility:

The solution we'll create is practical from an operational standpoint. The Bus Ticket Reservation
System functions flawlessly throughout. This system is web based. Thus, it succeeds in
achieving its goals. It will address the issues with bus reservations, which will save the time and
effort required to complete everything manually. And it carries out the fundamental operations
that were intended to be used. Because it is easy to use and all activities can be carried out
without difficulty, the suggested system is operationally practical.

4.3.3. Economic Feasibility:

Most of the resources are free of cost. So, we can develop the software at a very low cost. The
newly developed software doesn’t require any existing manual paperwork and files. The cost of
developing the application is negligible given the fact that there would be no cost involving the
manpower and other factors like internet and electricity cost are very minimal.

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4.3.4 Legal Feasibility:

The system offers an online bus ticket reservation system that is web-based, which ensures that it
doesn't go against national legislation. Additionally, the system will abide with all pertinent rules
and regulations, including the Consumer Protection Act, Electronic Transactions Act,
Information Technology Act, and the Act on the Management of Motor Vehicles and Other
Means of Public Transportation.

4.3.5 Schedule Feasibility:

Below is a Gantt chart of the project which shows what tasks need to be done to complete the
project and how much duration is needed to complete each task.

Table 1: Gantt chart for task and its duration

No of weeks
Process

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 1 15 16 1 18
1 4 7

Requirement
Gathering

Planning

Designing

Coding

Testing and
debugging

Implementation

4.4 High Level Design of System:

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4.4.1 System flow chart:

Figure 1: Flowchart for Admin

Figure 2: Flowchart for User

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4.4.1 Description for algorithm:

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Several algorithms can be used to handle various functionality and needs while creating an
online bus ticketing system. The following is an overview of a few algorithms which will be
used for this project:
 Search Algorithms: The binary search technique is effective for quickly looking
through sorted data. When using the ticketing system, binary search may be used to
rapidly locate particular routes, schedules for departure, or vacant spots on a bus.
Algorithm:
 Begin with a sorted list of routes, departure times, or available seats within a bus.
 Set the start index (low) to the first element and the end index (high) to the last
element of the list.
 Calculate the middle index (mid) as the average of low and high: mid = (low +
high) / 2.
 Compare the target value (e.g., desired route, departure time, or seat availability)
with the value at the middle index:
 If the target value is equal to the value at the middle index, the search is
successful, and the corresponding ticket information is returned.
 If the target value is less than the value at the middle index, update the high index
to mid - 1 and repeat from step 3 in the lower half of the list.
 If the target value is greater than the value at the middle index, update the low
index to mid + 1 and repeat from step 3 in the upper half of the list.
 Repeat steps 3-4 until the target value is found or the search space is exhausted
(low > high).

Mathematical Equation:
binarySearch(list, low, high, target):
if low > high:
return "Target not found"
mid = (low + high) / 2
if list[mid] == target:
return "Target found at index " + mid

if list[mid] > target:

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 return binarySearch(list, low, mid - 1, target)
else:
return binarySearch(list, mid + 1, high, target)

5. Expected outcome
An online bus ticketing system's anticipated results can change depending on a number of
variables, such as the system's performance and productivity, client happiness, profit creation,
and the general success of the company. From the convenience of their own homes or mobile
devices, users are able to look for bus pathways, verify seat availability, contrast costs, and make
reservations. The bus ticketing system is capable of reaching a larger audience by being
available online. It expands the consumer base and boosts ticket sales by enabling customers
from diverse areas to reserve seats on a variety of bus routes.

Moreover, Bus schedules, cancellations and other critical information may all be accessed in real
time by users. Users can use this to keep up with the news and make educated travel plans. The
system can gather information on customer preferences, booking trends, well-liked routes, and
other pertinent indicators. Analysis of this data can reveal trends in consumer behavior, market
activity, and business performance. Business decisions, marketing plans, and service upgrades
can be informed by this information.

6. References

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[1] V. G. R. H. Anila Cyril, "Electronic ticket machine data analytics for public bus transport
planning," Electronic ticket machine data analytics for public bus transport planning, 2017.
[2] M. B. F. S. ,. S. S. Kazi, "Smart E-Ticketing System for Public Transport Bus," Smart E-
Ticketing System for Public Transport Bus, 2018.
[3] V. S. M. Parihar, "Efficiency Analysis of Online Ticket Reservation System in Rajasthan
State Road Transport Corporations (RSRTC)," Efficiency Analysis of Online Ticket
Reservation System in Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporations (RSRTC) , 2019.
[4] M. C. P. F. R. B. Filipe Araujo, "Taking an Electronic Ticketing System to the," Taking an
Electronic Ticketing System to the, 2014.

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