India, April 08, 2026: IntrCity SmartBus, India’s leading intercity mobility brand, has expanded its SmartBus.AQI service to the Chennai–Coimbatore route, further strengthening its clean air travel network in South India. This move marks the brand’s continued push to make healthier in-cabin air a standard feature of long-distance bus travel.
The expansion builds on deployments across routes such as Delhi, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, and Nagpur–Mumbai. Since its launch in October 2025, SmartBus.AQI has recorded over 90% occupancy across key routes, highlighting strong demand for cleaner travel options. The air-purified fleet is now operational across 20+ cities, with further expansion planned.
The launch event in Chennai was attended by Ms. Poonam Sabikhi, Senior Transport Planner, underscoring the importance of sustainable and commuter-focused transport innovations in urban mobility ecosystems.
On the launch, Manish Rathi, Co-founder & CEO, IntrCity SmartBus, said, “Our air-quality tests were eye-opening. As leaders in the intercity mobility category, we felt a responsibility to address this urgent health concern. SmartBus.AQI is our commitment to ensuring that clean, safe air becomes a standard part of bus travel in India. This is a meaningful upgrade to the overall travel experience and to passenger wellbeing.”
Additionally, Mr. Dayalan Maran, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Operators Association (TOBOA) and owner of Sri Bhagiyalakshmi Tours & Travels (SBLT), one of IntrCity’s key operator partners-was present at the event along with other leading bus operators. Their presence reflects strong industry alignment and support towards adopting cleaner, more sustainable mobility solutions across the intercity bus ecosystem.
The next launch event is also scheduled in Coimbatore on April 9th, 2026, further strengthening IntrCity’s presence in the region.
The SmartBus.AQI system, developed in partnership with climate-tech company Respirer Living Sciences and indigenous collaborators, continuously filters PM2.5, CO₂, dust, smoke, and other pollutants. Passengers can also track real-time air quality onboard and via the IntrCity app. During pilot runs, the system maintained PM2.5 levels at ~40 µg/m³ for nearly 90% of the journey—well below India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) limit.
The Chennai–Coimbatore launch is part of IntrCity SmartBus’s broader strategy to enhance intercity travel through product and operational innovation. Over the years, the company has introduced features such as onboard washrooms, departure lounges, digital check-ins, and trained Bus Captains. With SmartBus.AQI, it now addresses a largely overlooked aspect of travel – air quality inside buses.
To support this, IntrCity has launched a dedicated SmartBus.AQI microsite (https://www.intrcity.com/smartbus-aqi), a platform that enables the public and travellers to investigate the technology’s operation, comprehend the science behind the purification system, and gain a deeper understanding of the initiative.
