Sri Lankan ride-hailing platform PickMe partners with India's PhonePe

Sri Lanka’s leading ride-hailing firm PickMe has partnered with India's UPI payments giant PhonePe to offer UPI-based QR payments for Indian travellers in Sri Lanka. 

The partnership is aimed at enhancing the travel experience for Indian tourists by providing the convenience of cashless transactions. 

From the moment they exit Bandaranaike International Airport, Indian visitors can enjoy hassle-free rides with PickMe, using the secure and widely trusted UPI payment system facilitated by PhonePe.

Reduce cash use for Indian travellers

By integrating PhonePe’s UPI-based QR payment system into its platform, PickMe aims to reduce the stress of managing cash and foreign currency for Indian travellers.

"Currently, we are the only ride-hailing platform in Sri Lanka to offer such a service to Indian travellers, and we hope to continue to innovate so that we make our ride-hailing service a convenient, safe and cost-effective mode of transportation for everyone," said Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe.

The Sri Lanka-based company believes that the cashless payment option not only makes ride-hailing more convenient but also safer, enhancing tourists' overall travel experience.

Focused on driving digital transformation

Jiffry Zulfer emphasized that this collaboration supports PickMe’s mission to drive digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s transportation sector.

"By enabling QR payments, we are making travel easier and safer for tourists while also providing a new revenue stream for our drivers," he added.

The company recently expanded its services to Jaffna and Anuradhapura with the aim of increasing accessibility across the country. 

PickMe’s extensive network now offers solutions for Indian travellers and other tourists looking to explore Sri Lanka from Dondra Head in the south to Point Pedro in the north.

Aiming to provide a convenient payment option

Ritesh Pai, CEO of International Payments at PhonePe, highlighted the company’s commitment to providing Indian travellers with convenient and trusted payment solutions.

"Travel is all about exploring new cultures, where food and local shopping are an integral part of that adventure. Previously, navigating payments in a new country could be a hassle. Now, with PhonePe, Indian tourists visiting the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka can enjoy the ease and security of UPI payments for their rides," he stated.

The partnership aligns with PhonePe's broader strategy to simplify financial transactions for Indian tourists abroad.

Strengthening partnerships

The collaboration between PickMe and PhonePe follows the launch of PhonePe in Sri Lanka last month. 

During the launch, Indian High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha encouraged Sri Lankan companies to engage with Indian firms to build on the UPI stack for innovations in hotel bookings, cab bookings, delivery services, and more.

"I am confident that with greater commercial engagement in the fintech sector, India and Sri Lanka will unlock innovation and transformation in the digital domain," Jha had said.