Bengaluru: Fresh Bus has expanded into the long-haul intercity segment with the launch of an all-electric premium bus service connecting Bengaluru and Hyderabad, marking the company’s first route spanning more than 600 km.
The service will operate 13.5-metre all-sleeper air-conditioned electric buses with 39 sleeper berths and will feature ultra-fast charging halts to support charging during the journey. A mid-haul stop will also be provided for passengers to rest and refresh.
Bengaluru and Hyderabad are major centres for technology, aerospace, education and startups, with the corridor catering to business, educational, leisure and family travel demand.
At full deployment, Fresh Bus expects the service to cater to around 18,000 passengers a month. The company is targeting an initial occupancy of about 80 per cent, which it expects to rise to around 90 per cent as the route matures.
“Moving beyond shorter routes into a 600-km-plus corridor allows us to demonstrate that electric buses can deliver a dependable long-distance travel experience without compromising on comfort and safety,” Fresh Bus Founder and CEO Sudhakar Chirra said.
He said the objective was to establish an operating model for long-haul electric bus travel that could subsequently be scaled to other high-demand corridors across the country.
The buses will offer sleeper berths along with bedsheets, pillows, blankets, reading lights, charging points, snack boxes and water bottles. Safety features include fire extinguishers, speed-governed operations, emergency exits and hammers, CCTV cameras and alcohol checks for drivers.
The company said the launch comes as intercity bus travel is increasingly shifting from a price-led category towards greater emphasis on comfort, safety, punctuality and the overall passenger experience.
Fresh Bus also expects sustainability to become a stronger consideration in intercity travel, particularly among younger and corporate travellers.
With the Bengaluru-Hyderabad service, the company aims to establish a scalable model for long-haul electric travel and expand its premium electric intercity network to other major corridors in the country.