Online bus ticketing platform redBus expects a 21 percent year on year growth in intercity bus bookings across Maharashtra and Goa for the summer holiday season. The projection is based on booking data analyzed between May 1 and May 17, 2026, compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
The anticipated surge is driven by demand for short leisure breaks, family visits, and an increasing preference for trips to cooler hill destinations. According to the platform's data, travelers are prioritizing comfort for these summer journeys. Approximately 85 percent of the bookings are for air conditioned buses, and 89 percent of travelers have opted for sleeper configurations for overnight travel.
Demographic trends indicate that younger travelers are driving a significant portion of the demand. Passengers between the ages of 18 and 30 account for 49 percent of the total bookings from the two states. Overall, male passengers represent 66 percent of the bookings, while female passengers make up the remaining 34 percent. In terms of origin points, 49 percent of the travelers are beginning their journeys from Tier 1 cities like Mumbai, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations contribute 21 percent and 30 percent of the traffic respectively.
Pune has emerged as a central hub for summer travel in the region. Top intra region routes include Pune to Nagpur, Pune to Mumbai, and Pune to Goa. For inter state travel, the most frequented routes are Pune to Hyderabad, Pune to Indore, Mumbai to Hyderabad, Mumbai to Indore, and Pune to Bangalore.