Case Study: Bus Route & Schedule Data Scraping from Redbus
The Challenge
Our client, a travel aggregator and analytics company, needed to extract bus route, schedule, pricing, and operator data from Redbus. The goal was to aggregate intercity transport data for route comparison, fare analysis, and market insights. Manual data collection from thousands of routes across states was inefficient and incomplete.
Hurdles We Faced
- Dynamic Content Loading: Routes, schedules, and seat availability were loaded via API calls after user search.
- High Data Volume: Thousands of routes with varying fares, timings, and operators.
- Geo-Based Search Restrictions: Data was accessible only after specifying origin and destination.
- Anti-Bot Measures: Continuous automated searches triggered rate limits and temporary blocks.
Our Step-by-Step Approach
Requirement Analysis:
Identified key data fields — route name, source, destination, departure time, fare, bus type, and operator.
Custom Scraper Development:
Developed a Python-based scraping solution integrated with headless browsing to simulate user searches and extract structured trip data.
API Reverse Engineering:
Mapped internal Redbus API calls to directly fetch JSON-based schedule and pricing information efficiently.
Proxy & Anti-Bot Handling:
Used rotating proxies, user-agent rotation, and timed intervals to avoid detection and ensure stable extraction.
Data Structuring & Normalization:
Standardized route and schedule data into a clean, relational format suitable for analytics and travel comparison tools.
Automation & Scheduling:
Configured scheduled scrapers to refresh routes, fares, and operator data periodically.
Results & Impact
- Extracted complete intercity route and fare datasets from Redbus.
- Enabled real-time fare comparison and route optimization for the client’s travel platform.
- Reduced manual data effort and ensured continuous updates for dynamic pricing insights.
Our Services & Expertise
At Ascendance Solutions, we specialize in:
- Travel & Transportation Data Scraping
- Dynamic API Integration & Reverse Engineering
- Proxy Management for Search-Based Platforms
- Automation for Real-Time Fare & Schedule Tracking
📧 Connect with us at connect@ascendancesolutions.com to automate route, fare, and schedule data scraping from platforms like Redbus and boost your travel data intelligence
