Leading intercity mobility platform IntrCity SmartBus has announced a strategic partnership with CheckMyBus, the world’s largest bus travel metasearch platform. This collaboration aims to enhance the intercity travel experience for both domestic and international travellers, offering convenient, high-quality transportation across India. As CheckMyBus’s first Indian partner, IntrCity seeks to attract global travellers from key markets such as the US, UK, and Europe, providing affordable yet premium travel options.
Through this partnership, CheckMyBus users will gain direct access to IntrCity’s extensive network of over 630 routes covering major destinations like Delhi, Shimla, Dharamshala, Kasol, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
Manish Rathi, Co-Founder & CEO, IntrCity SmartBus, emphasised the strategic importance of this collaboration, “Partnering with CheckMyBus enables us to significantly expand our market reach, particularly among international travelers who seek value-driven travel options. This collaboration will not only drive our business growth but also set new standards for the bus travel industry in India. As we continue to innovate, this partnership will further enhance our contribution to India’s tourism infrastructure, ultimately supporting the national economy.”_
For international travellers, IntrCity’s offerings are designed to cater to their expectations of comfort and convenience. With features like onboard washrooms, real-time tracking, CCTV-equipped buses, and bus captains who provide personalised assistance, IntrCity ensures a smooth and hassle-free journey for tourists who may be less familiar with Indian travel conditions.
Marc Hofmann, CEO, CheckMyBus, also expressed excitement about the partnership, “We’re thrilled to offer IntrCity’s superior services to our global and domestic users. With their commitment to top-quality service and their extensive network, this collaboration enhances the bus travel experience by offering the best prices and services in India.”
In terms of operational scale, Raizada reported, “The IntrCity SmartBus network now reaches 2.5 lakh seats per month with over 100 million passenger-seat-kilometers. The brand is now the market leader across several routes in both North and South India, commanding a 15-20 per cent market share in a traditionally highly fragmented industry.”
This collaboration between IntrCity and CheckMyBus comes at a crucial time for India’s tourism industry, which is expected to see a significant rise in international tourist arrivals post-pandemic. “This partnership aligns perfectly with India’s growing tourism sector, supporting the government’s efforts to promote the country as a top travel destination. By offering reliable, comfortable bus services, we aim to enhance India’s appeal for international travellers, particularly those seeking affordable travel options across the country’s major tourist destinations,” Rathi said in an exclusive conversation with ETTravelWorld.
Expansion plans and future growth
Looking ahead, IntrCity SmartBus has ambitious plans for expansion. The company is set to increase its fleet by 300 per cent and add over 50 new routes, particularly in the northern, southern, and western regions of India. Additionally, IntrCity plans to introduce 100 new buses equipped with washrooms, further improving the comfort of long-distance travellers.
“Following this partnership, we’re expanding aggressively across new regions and routes, especially in the West and South of India. Our goal is to scale our operations to meet the increasing demand for high-quality bus travel. This growth will solidify IntrCity’s position as the leader in India’s intercity travel market,” Rathi shared.
By integrating AI-driven insights and customer feedback, IntrCity is poised to continuously improve its services, making it a top choice for both domestic and international travellers.
