India’s intercity travel sector is witnessing a major resurgence, with sleeper buses and premium AC services driving a 25% jump in bookings, according to a new report by redBus.
The surge highlights a strong recovery in long-distance road travel as travellers increasingly prefer comfort, safety, and convenience over conventional transport modes.
The spike in premium bus travel is also translating into higher ticket prices, increased occupancy, and new routes being added by operators across states.
What’s Driving the Surge in Intercity Bus Travel?
1. Rising Preference for Sleeper and Luxury AC Coaches
Travellers now prioritise comfort—especially for overnight journeys.
Sleeper buses offer:
Private cabins
Cushioned berths
Better legroom
Enhanced privacy
AC coaches add to the experience with controlled temperature and smoother rides.
2. Affordable Alternative to Flights
Airfares on key domestic routes remain high.
For many travellers, luxury buses provide:
Lower cost
Comparable comfort
Convenient boarding points
No airport travel time
This makes premium buses a “value for money” choice.
3. Growth of Tech-Enabled Bus Travel
Platforms like redBus have streamlined:
Mobile bookings
Live tracking
Digital boarding passes
Real-time customer support
This convenience is attracting more passengers, including solo and female travellers.
4. Better Highways & Safer Night Travel
Improved road infrastructure and expressways have:
Reduced travel times
Increased night travel safety
Boosted popularity of overnight sleeper services
5. Rise in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Travel Demand
Smaller cities are seeing:
Higher job movement
College and coaching hub travel
Festival-related mobility
These markets depend more on buses than trains or flights.
Impact of the Surge — What the Industry Is Seeing
✔ Higher Ticket Prices
RedBus reports that rising demand has pushed ticket prices up on several popular routes.
✔ Increased Occupancy
Operators are seeing 80%–100% occupancy on weekends and holidays.
✔ Business Expansion
Many operators are adding:
New sleeper fleets
More AC coaches
Additional nighttime departures
✔ Growth in Weekend Travel
Short-distance weekend leisure travel is booming.
Which Routes Are Growing the Fastest?
While the report summary you shared doesn’t specify exact routes, typically the highest growth is seen on:
Bengaluru ↔ Hyderabad
Bengaluru ↔ Chennai
Mumbai ↔ Pune
Ahmedabad ↔ Rajkot
Delhi ↔ Jaipur
Kochi ↔ Bengaluru
If you want, I can add specific route stats once you provide more details.
What This Means for Travellers
More premium bus options
Higher travel comfort
Slightly increased fares
Faster booking filling during peak periods
Improved safety and hygiene standards
FAQs
1. Why has intercity travel increased by 25%?
Because of higher demand for sleeper and AC buses, better roads, and rising preference for premium comfort.
2. Are ticket prices increasing?
Yes, demand has pushed prices higher on popular routes.
3. Which bus type is most in demand?
Sleeper and AC luxury coaches.
4. Is bus travel safer now?
Better highways, GPS tracking, and regulated fleets have improved safety significantly.
5. Did redBus report any specific route increases?
The shared snippet doesn’t list routes, but such reports typically cover metro–tier-2 city corridors.
Published on : 19th November
Published by : SMITA
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