MUMBAI : India’s intercity travel landscape is witnessing a significant shift as young, working professionals increasingly opt for shared mobility over personal vehicles, according to the IntrCity SmartBus Intercity Mobility Survey 2026 conducted among 13,320 respondents across the country.The survey found that nearly three-fourths (74.3%) of respondents are aged between 18 and 43 years, while 65.9% are salaried professionals, highlighting how the country’s most active travellers are driving the transition towards organised and technology-enabled transport.Shared mobility has moved beyond being merely an economical option to becoming a preferred mode of travel.Nearly half (49.2%) of respondents said all five of their most recent intercity journeys were undertaken using shared transport such as buses and trains.The trend is expected to accelerate, with 76.3% anticipating increased use of shared mobility over the next three years and 63.7% reporting higher usage compared to five years ago.Premium bus travel is emerging as a strong contender against traditional modes of transport.Nearly 70% (69.6%) of respondents said they would prefer a premium shared bus over a personal car, train or flight for a 400-600 km journey if fares were identical.Comfort, convenience, digital accessibility and the ability to avoid the stress of long-distance driving were cited as major factors behind this preference.Technology has become central to the travel experience, with 82.4% describing it as very important.Improved onboard amenities (43%), easier online booking and digital access (42.5%), and reduced driving stress (40.5%) were identified as key drivers of adoption.Safety emerged as the most important consideration for travellers, cited by 43% of respondents, followed by affordability (42.5%) and comfort and cleanliness (40.5%).However, safety also remains the biggest hurdle, with 33% expressing concerns about it.The survey further revealed a growing preference for value over ownership.Although many respondents have access to personal vehicles, 30.4% of car owners said they still prefer not to drive for intercity travel.More than 71% indicated they would be willing to pay more for services that offer better safety, reliability and comfort, underlining a broader shift towards premium shared mobility solutions.
