The year 2025 has proven to be a significant period for intercity bus travel in Maharashtra, as detailed in the latest year-end analysis from the online ticketing giant redBus. The report sheds light on evolving passenger demographics, preferred routes, and booking behaviors that are shaping the state's road transport landscape.
Passenger Profile and Booking Preferences
Women travelers constituted 32% of all passengers in Maharashtra, a figure that matches the national average, indicating a steady participation in intercity bus journeys. When examining age groups, the data reveals a youthful market. Gen Z travelers, aged 25 and below, accounted for 31% of the passenger base. The millennial cohort, aged between 26 and 40 years, formed the largest bloc, making up nearly half of all bookings.
Comfort emerged as a top priority for passengers. An overwhelming 84% of all bookings were for AC bus seats, highlighting a strong preference for climate-controlled travel. Furthermore, 85% of passengers opted for sleeper seats over sleeper-berths or seating options, pointing towards the demand for restful overnight journeys.
Popular Routes and Geographic Insights
The busiest travel corridors within the state were the Mumbai-Kolhapur-Mumbai and Pune-Nagpur-Pune routes. Interstate travel also saw high demand, with the Mumbai-Bangalore-Mumbai and Pune-Hyderabad-Pune routes being particularly popular among passengers.
Interestingly, while Mumbai is a major hub, it contributed to 16% of the total bookings originating from Maharashtra. The remaining 84% came from other cities and towns across the state, underscoring the widespread adoption of online bus ticketing. Passenger volume from Mumbai to other destinations grew by 21% compared to 2024. Growth from other towns and cities was slightly higher at 22%.
Seasonal Spikes, Occupancy, and Pilgrimage Surge
Occupancy rates for buses in Maharashtra consistently outperformed the all-India average. Sundays were the busiest travel day of the week. The calendar year witnessed major travel spikes during key festival and holiday weekends, including Diwali, Independence Day, Rakshabandhan, and Holi.
A notable trend was the significant growth in travel to pilgrimage centers. Destinations like Shirdi saw a 29% increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year. Leisure travel to spots like Goa also grew, registering a 15% year-on-year rise. The average ticket price in Maharashtra stood at Rs. 1079, which was above the national average of Rs. 964.
Commenting on the annual performance, redBus CEO Prakash Sangam stated, “2025 has been a good year for our bus ticketing business. Overall in the first half of this financial year, we reported a strong 36% growth in seat bookings year on year and revenue increased by 39%.”
