India’s intercity bus travel sector witnessed strong and sustained momentum in 2025, with national occupancy per trip stabilising at 79%, signalling a confident recovery across both business and leisure corridors. The findings are part of a new analysis by Sciative Solutions, an Agentic AI-led pricing intelligence company, highlighting a structural shift in the country’s bus mobility ecosystem.
The study, based on aggregated data from 50 high-traffic intercity routes across North, South, East, West and Central India, indicates that the sector is not only recovering in volume but is also steadily moving towards premiumisation. The average revenue per trip stood at ₹40,892, while the average highest seat sold price reached ₹4,692, reflecting travellers’ growing willingness to pay for comfort, reliability and enhanced travel experiences.
According to Dr. Anshu Jalora, Founder and Managing Director, Sciative Solutions, India’s intercity bus market has entered a phase of value-driven growth. He noted that stabilised demand, stronger seat utilisation and a rapid shift toward premium seating are becoming defining characteristics of the sector. Agentic AI-led pricing and demand forecasting, he said, are enabling operators to respond proactively to these changes rather than relying on reactive fare-setting models.
Region-wise, South and West India emerged as the strongest performers, each recording 84% occupancy per trip. South India led in revenue efficiency, averaging ₹50,278 per trip, driven by dense business corridors and long-distance overnight routes. West India also maintained high occupancy, supported by a balanced mix of weekday business travel and weekend leisure demand.
East India stood out as the highest-revenue region, with an average revenue of ₹48,999 per trip, despite a relatively moderate occupancy level of 72%. Longer route lengths, constrained supply on key corridors and strong demand for premium seating pushed the highest seat sold price to ₹14,800, the highest across the country. Growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 hubs further points to significant headroom for premium expansion.
North India recorded steady performance with 81% occupancy, supported by tourism, pilgrimage traffic and Delhi-centric commuter routes. Central India saw 74% occupancy, with consistent revenues driven by regional business travel and pilgrimage movement.
Commenting on evolving consumer behaviour, Ms. Vijeta Soni, Co-founder and CEO, Sciative Solutions, said premiumisation is no longer limited to metros or peak seasons. Travellers across regions, she noted, are increasingly prioritising predictability, comfort and quality. AI-powered pricing intelligence is helping operators optimise seat allocation, anticipate demand patterns and improve profitability without compromising accessibility.
The 2025 findings underline a broader shift in India’s intercity bus travel market — from volume-led recovery to intelligence-led growth — positioning data-driven pricing and demand forecasting as essential tools for sustaining margins and delivering superior passenger experiences in an increasingly competitive landscape.
