IntrCity SmartBus Opens Traveller Lounge in Tirupati

IntrCity SmartBus has launched a dedicated traveller lounge in Tirupati, aimed at improving facilities for passengers travelling to one of India’s busiest pilgrimage destinations.

The facility, located near the RTC Bus Stand area, offers luggage storage, shower facilities and changing rooms. It is designed to cater to passengers arriving on overnight bus services who often require space to freshen up before proceeding for temple visits.

The move comes amid continued growth in religious tourism across India. According to the Ministry of Tourism, domestic visits to religious destinations crossed 1.43 billion in 2022, contributing approximately ₹1.34 lakh crore in revenue. Religious travel accounts for over 60% of total tourism activity, and the segment is projected to reach $59 billion by 2028, supported by infrastructure upgrades and improved connectivity.

Tirupati, home to the Sri Venkateswara Temple, sees daily footfall ranging between 60,000 and 80,000 devotees. Annual visits are estimated between 30 million and 40 million, making it one of the most visited pilgrimage sites globally.

IntrCity SmartBus said a significant share of its passengers on routes to Tirupati arrive early in the morning, creating demand for facilities that support last-mile convenience before darshan.

“Travel demand is consistently high in pilgrimage corridors like Tirupati, particularly on overnight routes connecting major cities. Enhancing the surrounding travel ecosystem is becoming increasingly important as more passengers shift to organised intercity bus networks,” said Manish Rathi, Co-founder and CEO of the company.

The company operates across more than 630 routes in 15 states, connecting several religious destinations including Ayodhya, Varanasi and Shirdi. It has been expanding services in pilgrimage corridors amid rising demand for organised and technology-enabled intercity travel.

IntrCity SmartBus operates an asset-light model and is part of the RailYatri ecosystem, a digital platform for train travel that serves over 12 million users monthly.