redBus has recorded a strong surge in intercity bus travel across Maharashtra and Goa ahead of the summer holiday season, with bookings projected to grow by 21% compared to the same period last year.
The trend reflects early travel planning driven by short leisure breaks, family visits and a growing preference for flexible, short-duration trips. Travellers are increasingly opting for frequent getaways, especially to cooler destinations, as summer intensifies.
Key high-traffic intra-region routes include Pune–Mumbai, Pune–Goa and Pune–Nagpur, while inter-region demand remains strong on routes such as Pune–Hyderabad, Mumbai–Hyderabad and Pune–Bangalore.
Data also shows a clear shift towards comfort and convenience, with 85% of bookings for AC buses and 89% opting for sleeper services, highlighting the popularity of overnight travel.
Young travellers continue to dominate demand, with 49% of users in the 18–30 age group. Mumbai leads as the primary departure hub, accounting for nearly half of all bookings, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets continue to show steady growth.
