MAM
Hitachi Payment Services and AbhiBus partner to offer digital transit solutions for HRTC
Mumbai: In a significant move to enhance public transportation services, Hitachi Payment Services, an end-to-end payments and commerce solutions provider, teamed up with AbhiBus, a bus booking platform to implement an Integrated Ticketing Management System (IMTS) and provide cashless ticketing solutions for state-run buses in Himachal Pradesh. This collaboration marks the first such initiative in the state, aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and promoting cashless travel amongst the 1.5 crore passengers that use the state transport services each month.
The new digital transit solution will enable passengers to access real-time seat availability, make bookings, book tickets online via HRTC mobile app or website, get tickets in real-time at HRTC bus counters and make payments enroute, via state-of-the-art GPRS-enabled Electronic Bus Ticketing Machine (EBTM). Passengers can also choose their preferred digital payment mode from a range of options, including debit/credit card, UPI, QR code, prepaid wallet, and NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) card. Passengers in the free or concessional category can present their smart card passes to the conductor to issue the appropriate travel tickets via EBTM. The EBTM records both the full fare and the concession fare while ensuring a seamless and efficient ticketing service. Additionally, passengers can conveniently check the current timetable for every bus departing from a specific bus stop to any desired location.
Hitachi Payment Services CEO of digital business Anuj Khosla said, “We are happy to be awarded the prestigious HRTC project. At Hitachi Payment Services, we have been pioneering advanced transit solutions that drive greater convenience for passengers and at the same time improve efficiency for transport operators. Our collaboration with AbhiBus for the Integrated Ticketing Management System will create a new ticketing experience for state public transport users in Himachal. Through our innovative offerings, we continue to transform the transit sector and empower citizens with secure and convenient digital payments.”
AbhiBus Chief Operating Officer Rohit Sharma stated, “We are delighted to partner with HRTC and Hitachi Payment Services for this prestigious project. This partnership enhances travel with instant ticketing, digital ease, and a superior booking experience for over 3,100+ buses. Himachal Pradesh is now at the forefront of digital bus travel.”
Himachal Road Transport Corporation Thakur, IAS, managing director Rohan Chand also expressed, “The implementation of an Integrated Ticketing Management System is a significant milestone for us. It allows us to access real-time bus schedules, not only alleviating traffic congestion but also enhancing safety measures. Furthermore, the introduction of digital payments holds great importance, not just for passengers, but also for the hardworking conductors who meticulously account for every penny at the end of each trip, ultimately saving valuable time.”
Himachal has always been an early adopter of technology and now stands tall among a select group of states with the digitalisation of ticketing services for HRTC. For HRTC, it marks a significant step towards digitalization and integration of its ticketing systems, revolutionizing the overall travel experience for passengers.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
