IntrCity SmartBus Expands Clean-Air Travel to Chennai–Coimbatore Route
Chennai, April 7, 2026: IntrCity SmartBus has expanded its clean-air travel initiative by increasing the deployment of its SmartBus.AQI service on the Chennai–Coimbatore route, strengthening its presence in South India’s intercity mobility sector. The move marks another step in the company’s efforts to make healthier in-cabin air a standard feature of long-distance bus travel, following earlier rollouts on key routes such as Delhi, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, and Nagpur–Mumbai.
IntrCity SmartBus operates as an asset-light intercity bus network, offering standardized and reliable long-distance travel services across more than 630 routes in 15 states. The launch event held in Chennai witnessed the participation of Ms. Poonam Sabikhi, Senior Transport Planner, and Mr. Albert Raja, Assistant Planner, highlighting the growing emphasis on sustainable and commuter-centric innovations in urban and intercity transport systems.
Also present at the event was 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. Several leading private bus operators attended the launch, reflecting strong industry support for adopting cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions.
The company has announced that its next launch event will take place in Coimbatore on April 9, further consolidating its footprint in the region.
The SmartBus.AQI system has been developed in collaboration with Respirer Living Sciences, a climate-tech firm. It features a continuous air purification and monitoring mechanism designed to filter PM2.5, carbon dioxide (CO₂), dust, smoke, and other airborne pollutants. Passengers can access real-time air quality data, including AQI and PM2.5 levels, both onboard and through the IntrCity mobile application.
According to pilot trials conducted on the Chennai–Coimbatore route, the system maintained PM2.5 levels at approximately 40 micrograms per cubic metre for nearly 90 per cent of the journey. This remains well within the 24-hour threshold of 60 micrograms per cubic metre prescribed under India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Commenting on the initiative, Manish Rathi, Co-founder and CEO of IntrCity SmartBus, said that the company’s air-quality assessments revealed a critical gap in passenger safety during long-distance travel. “SmartBus.AQI is our commitment to ensuring that clean, safe air becomes a standard part of bus travel in India. It represents a meaningful upgrade to both travel experience and passenger wellbeing,” he noted.
The Chennai–Coimbatore rollout forms part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance customer experience through innovation in India’s intercity bus market. Over the years, IntrCity SmartBus has introduced several category-defining features, including onboard washrooms, departure lounges, digital check-ins, and professionally trained Bus Captains.
With the introduction of SmartBus.AQI, the company is addressing a relatively overlooked aspect of long-distance travel — the quality of air passengers breathe throughout their journey.
To support awareness and transparency, IntrCity has also launched a dedicated microsite that enables travellers to explore the technology, understand the science behind the purification system, and learn more about the initiative.
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