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India electric intercity bus company Fresh Bus has expanded into the long-haul segment with the launch of its first long-distance electric bus service on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad route. Covering more than 600 km, the route marks a key step in the company plans to build a scalable electric intercity network across South India.
The route will feature ultra-fast charging halts, enabling the electric buses to recharge in less time during the long-distance journey. According to Fresh Bus, the company is deploying this ultra-fast charging technology for the first time on an intercity electric bus route in India. A mid-route halt will also be provided to allow passengers to rest and refresh during the journey.
Fresh Bus will operate 13.5-metre all-sleeper AC electric buses on the route, with 39 sleeper berths. The buses will offer ergonomic AC sleeper berths along with clean and sanitised bedsheets, pillows and blankets, reading lights, charging points, complimentary snack boxes and water bottles.
For passenger safety, the buses will be equipped with fire extinguishers, speed-governed operations, emergency exits and hammers, CCTV cameras throughout the vehicle, and alcohol checks for bus captains. The company said that intercity bus travel is increasingly being driven not only by pricing but also by factors such as comfort, safety, punctuality and the overall travel experience.
According to the company, the Bengaluru-Hyderabad service is expected to serve around 18,000 passengers every month at full deployment. Fresh Bus is targeting an initial occupancy rate of around 80%, which it expects to increase to approximately 90% as operations mature. The company’s existing routes also maintain occupancy levels in the mid-to-high 80% range.
Fresh Bus Founder and CEO Sudhakar Chirra said the strong passenger demand between Bengaluru and Hyderabad makes the corridor suitable for the company’s expansion into long-haul electric mobility. The company aims to use this operating model to expand electric long-distance bus services to other high-demand corridors across India.
Fresh Bus currently operates across 13 routes and has served around 25.6 lakh passengers to date, according to the company. It also plans to introduce additional routes connecting Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Tickets for the Bengaluru-Hyderabad service will be available through the Fresh Bus app and website, as well as leading online travel agencies (OTAs).
