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Indian travellers have exhibited unprecedented travel this summer, and their appetite for exploration seems insatiable. According to the latest AbhiBus data, 570 million Indians took buses during the fiscal year ’23. This number is projected to surpass 630 million in FY ’24. Just this summer, a staggering 250 million Indians have already embarked on intercity bus journeys to make the most of the long vacation period.
Talking about the rising demand for bus travel and tickets across routes, Rohit Sharma, COO, AbhiBus said that the travel fervour has remained strong after the summer season. Notably, the domestic aviation industry could only accommodate a daily average of 0.4 to 0.5 million passengers during the same period.
“Interestingly, the demand has been consistent even after the summer season. The Eid long weekend coincided with the monsoon, and as a result, an astonishing 30 million passengers chose buses as their preferred mode of transportation between cities,” he said.
Festive vs non-festive days
Festivals in India signify the journey back to hometowns and showcase the nation’s deep affection for travel. Moreover, soaring flight prices and long waiting lists for train tickets, which can stretch up to two months, have prompted many travellers to opt for buses as a highly convenient mode of transportation.
One of AbhiBus’ surveys has shown that 28 per cent of travellers choose sleeper buses owing to the high prices of flight tickets, with 39 per cent choosing sleeper buses due to the unavailability of train tickets. Sharma said the company has observed that there are 5x more bus travellers during festive days compared to any non-festive days.
“While most travellers prefer going to their hometown, about 20 per cent prefer going on vacation. Also, 1 out of 5 travellers are college-going students who take this opportunity to visit their friends and family,” Sharma revealed.
Online bus tickets in Tier-II & Tier-III cities
Internet penetration in Tier-II & Tier-III cities has been experiencing a 20 per cent year-on-year increase. This surge in connectivity, combined with the convenience and timeliness of bus services, has led to a substantial rise in bus bookings from these cities. Sharing more data, Sharma said there has been a remarkable 30 per cent growth in bus bookings from Tier-II & Tier-III cities compared to the previous year.
Notably, several cities have witnessed significant growth in bus bookings compared to last year. Rishikesh saw a remarkable 105 per cent increase, followed by Gorakhpur (76 per cent), Vijayawada (61 per cent), Visakhapatnam (57 per cent), Ongole (71 per cent), Coimbatore (59 per cent), Madurai (61 per cent), Rajkot (88 per cent), Adilabad (76 per cent), and Bellary (54 per cent).
“These statistics highlight the growing demand and popularity of bus travel in these regions as internet connectivity continues to expand,” Sharma mentioned.
Highest demand routes
This summer, bus reservations have shown new trends with increased bookings to both popular tourist destinations like Goa, Shimla, Kochi, and Manali, as well as pilgrimage places like Shirdi, Tirupati, Madurai, and Sabarimala. This booking surge is a result of eased restrictions and an increase in the Darshan quota.
According to AbhiBus, pilgrimage places have seen a remarkable 10x increase in visitors this summer. For example, Tirupati has experienced an average monthly footfall of 2.2 million, reflecting a 15 per cent month-on-month growth.
Day-time vs Night-time journeys
Over the years, AbhiBus has observed a growing preference among individuals for night trips in air-conditioned (AC) buses. This choice allows them to avoid heavy traffic, wrap up their work or college commitments for the day, and travel on the same day. Introducing luxurious buses like the Volvo 9600 and Scania has further enhanced the comfort of night travel, creating a sense of anticipation among passengers.
“Our findings indicate that one in every three passengers regularly commutes between their home and workplace. The flexibility of bus travel offers them the advantage of making immediate plans, completing their work, and reaching their destination the following day, or vice versa. This flexibility enables passengers to manage their schedules efficiently,” explained Sharma on the preference of travellers.
Trends related to female travellers
AbhiBus has observed some notable trends related to female travellers. Currently, approximately 30 per cent of bookings on bus booking aggregator are made by female travellers, a significant increase from the previous year’s ratio of only 17 per cent of total bookings. “This indicates a growing preference for buses among female travellers due to factors such as convenience, affordability, and improved safety measures,” Sharma said.
Moreover, there has been a rise in the number of solo female travellers. Some of their favourite destinations include Goa, Mysore, Ooty, Coorg, Jaipur, Mussoorie, Dharamshala, and Nainital.
Search trend during monsoons
Sharing insights on search trends during the monsoon season, Sharma said there have been some changes from the previous year.
“Compared to last year, the desire to travel has drastically increased. The primary causes include the rising cost of flights, the unavailability of railways, and the fact that buses offer last-mile connectivity, making them more convenient for travellers,” he said.
Several cities, including Udaipur, experienced 2x growth in search, Jaisalmer experienced 2.5x, and Lonavala received 1.8x growth, while Wayanad, Shillong, Kodaikanal and Puducherry experienced 3x, 2x, 3.5x, 1.3x growth in searches respectively.
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