IntrCity introduces clean-air SmartBus.AQI fleet across North India
IntrCity SmartBus has launched its first air-purified intercity fleet to address rising concerns around in-cabin pollution during long-distance road travel. The company’s new SmartBus.AQI service integrates continuous air purification and monitoring technology, following internal tests that revealed buses on several routes recorded pollution levels two to three times higher than WHO safe thresholds. The initiative focuses on improving passenger safety and comfort across high-pollution corridors in North India.
The new system targets harmful pollutants including PM2.5 particles, carbon dioxide, dust, smoke, and related contaminants. IntrCity aims to bring data transparency to passengers by enabling them to track real-time air quality indicators onboard and through the IntrCity app. Buses featuring the technology are marked with a “.AQI” suffix during booking.
AI-powered filtration technology from Respirer Living Sciences
The filtration and monitoring technology was developed in partnership with Respirer Living Sciences, a ClimateTech company specializing in air quality intelligence. The system uses AI-powered monitoring combined with a patent-pending, demand-controlled energy-recovery filtration mechanism. During pilot deployments, PM2.5 levels were maintained around 15 µg/m³ for over 90% of travel time, aligning with WHO’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit.
Respirer, founded in 2017, operates more than 3,500 air-monitoring devices in over 35 cities across India and international markets. Its datasets support government agencies, enterprises, and research bodies in air-quality decision-making.
Rollout covers major high-pollution intercity routes
The first phase of deployment targets pollution-dense travel routes across North India, especially those linking Lucknow, Kanpur, Katra, and Pathankot. The offering builds on IntrCity SmartBus’s broader suite of passenger-centric features such as digital check-ins, boarding lounges, and onboard washrooms. A dedicated microsite provides additional information on the technology and its adoption across the fleet.
With operations spanning more than 630 routes in 15 states, IntrCity’s addition of an air-purified fleet positions the company as a frontrunner in clean-air mobility. The SmartBus.AQI initiative signals a wider industry shift toward health-focused transport experiences in India’s intercity bus market.
