India Mandates Low-Floor Buses for All City Transport from October 2026

Key Highlights

• Low-floor buses will be mandatory for city transport from October 2026.

• Minimum 400 mm floor height required for better accessibility.

• AIS-216 norms applicable to buses 9 metres and above.

• Focus on elderly, women, children, and disabled passengers.

• Improved safety and uniform design standards nationwide.

India is set to take a major step toward making city public transport more accessible and safer. As per a report by The Times of India, all city buses manufactured from October 2026 onwards will be required to follow a low-floor design to improve ease of travel for passengers.

Low-Floor Buses to Become Mandatory Nationwide

According to the report, public buses meant for intra-city operations across India must have a low-floor structure with a ground clearance of 400 mm. This change aims to address long-standing problems faced by commuters, especially elderly people, women, children, and persons with disabilities, who often struggle with high steps, narrow walkways, limited handholds, and tight seating in existing buses.

AIS-216 Standard to Be Implemented

The Times of India states that a draft notification issued this week outlines the compliance timeline for manufacturers.

• New bus models manufactured on or after April 1, 2026, and

• Existing models produced after October 1, 2026,

will need to meet the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS-216) requirements.

Under this standard, all buses measuring 9 metres and above must have a maximum floor height of 400 mm, ensuring easier boarding and deboarding for passengers.

Infrastructure and Manufacturing Ready

Quoting a government official, the report mentions that bus manufacturers are already producing low-floor buses, and the necessary infrastructure ecosystem is in place to support this transition. Despite this, many Indian cities have continued using high-floor or semi-low-floor buses mainly because of their lower upfront cost.

Improved Safety and Accessibility for Urban Transport

The AIS-216 standard defines uniform design and testing norms for bus bodies to meet legal safety and performance requirements. The newspaper notes that enforcing this standard will not only improve accessibility but also enhance the overall safety levels of city buses across the country.

With this move, India is expected to see a more inclusive, commuter-friendly, and safer urban public transport system in the coming years.

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CMV360 Says

India’s decision to mandate low-floor buses for city transport marks an important shift toward inclusive and safer urban mobility. By enforcing AIS-216 standards and a 400 mm floor height, the move will make daily travel easier for elderly passengers, women, children, and persons with disabilities. With manufacturers and infrastructure already prepared, this policy is expected to modernise city bus fleets and improve the overall public transport experience nationwide.