IntrCity SmartBus Study Shows Passengers Breathe Cleaner Air During Intercity Travel

Key Highlights:

• Passengers breathed clean air for up to 80% of the journey time.

• PM2.5 levels stayed below 60 μg/m³ on major routes.

• First real-time in-bus air quality data in India.

• High pollution exposure is limited to under 10% of travel time.

• SmartBus.AQI improves passenger health and comfort.

A new study by Respirer Living Sciences and IntrCity SmartBus has revealed that passengers travelling on long-distance buses in India are exposed to much cleaner air than expected during most of their journey. The findings offer fresh insights into air quality inside intercity buses, especially during peak winter pollution months.

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Passengers Breathe Cleaner Air for Most of the Journey

The study found that passengers spent up to 80% of their travel time breathing air with PM2.5 levels below 60 micrograms per cubic meter. This is significantly cleaner than the outdoor air quality seen in many North and Central Indian cities during winter, where pollution levels often remain very high.

Short periods of higher pollution were recorded, but these usually lasted for less than 10% of the total journey time.

First Real-Time In-Bus Air Quality Data in India

The analysis was carried out between December 7 and 14, 2025, covering 11 IntrCity SmartBus.AQI buses. These buses were fitted with continuous PM2.5 monitoring and air filtration systems.

This is the first publicly available real-time dataset showing what passengers actually breathe during long-distance road travel in India.

Routes With Consistently Low Pollution Levels

Several popular intercity routes maintained PM2.5 levels below 60 μg/m³ for more than 80% of travel time. These routes include:

• Delhi–Kanpur

• Delhi–Lucknow

• Delhi–Katra

• Katra–Delhi

• Pathankot–Delhi

• Pune–Nagpur

• Pune–Bangalore

High pollution spikes above 90 μg/m³ were mostly seen near pollution hotspots, boarding points, and rest stops.

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Health Benefits for Thousands of Passengers

Around 4,500 passenger journeys took place on the monitored buses during the study period, based on a standard 30-seat capacity. The reduced exposure to high pollution levels offers a clear health benefit, especially for travellers during winter when air quality is at its worst.

Expert Insights on Pollution Control

Ronak Sutaria, Founder and CEO of Respirer Living Sciences, said the study provides the first clear evidence of real pollution exposure inside intercity buses. He explained that identifying high-risk stretches allows operators to make targeted changes, such as adjusting ventilation or operational practices.

SmartBus.AQI Technology Improves Travel Environment

The SmartBus.AQI initiative uses AI-powered air quality monitoring and filtration systems to control pollutants like PM2.5, carbon dioxide, dust, and smoke. Passengers can check real-time air quality and PM2.5 levels onboard and through the IntrCity mobile app.

Plans to Expand Cleaner Air Systems

Manish Rathi, CEO and Co-Founder of IntrCity, stated that internal testing had earlier shown in-bus pollution could be two to three times higher than safe limits. This partnership aims to roll out cleaner air systems across high-pollution intercity routes in India.

About Respirer Living Sciences

Founded in 2017, Respirer Living Sciences operates over 3,500 air monitoring devices across 35+ cities in India and abroad. The company works closely with governments, businesses, and research institutions on air quality monitoring and management.

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CMV360 Says

The IntrCity SmartBus air quality study highlights that long-distance bus travel can offer a cleaner breathing environment than city streets during winter pollution. With real-time monitoring and filtration, passengers are protected from prolonged exposure to harmful air. The findings also open doors for smarter route planning and better air control systems across India’s intercity transport network.