redBus Pink Report 2026: Women’s Bus Travel Up 136%, Solo Trips Surge Nationwide
redBus released the Pink Report on March 13, 2026, analysing platform data from 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2025 (post-pandemic).
The report tracks women’s intercity bus mobility trends across India. It highlights growth rates, regional shares, and behavioural patterns based on redBus bookings.
“Women’s travel in India today signals growing independence. At redBus, we strengthen features like women’s bus ratings and safety information to make intercity travel reliable and empowering. Mobility is freedom, and it should be seamless.”
Prakash Sangam, CEO, redBus
Overall Growth Trends
Women’s bus travel grew faster than the market average over six years.
- Women travellers increased by 136% from 2019 to 2025.
- Overall passenger growth was 72% in the same period.
- Women’s share of total bus passengers rose from 23% in 2019 to 33% in 2025.
Gen Z women (14-29 years) lead the shift, forming 60% of all women passengers. They account for 68% of solo women trips, with nearly 2 in 5 women trips taken solo.
List of the Top Indian Bus Body Builders With AIS-153 Certification
Regional Breakdown
Women’s share increased across all regions from 2019 to 2025.
| Region | 2019 Share | 2025 Share | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | 20% | 21% | +1% |
| North | 23% | 24% | +1% |
| South | 28% | 30% | +2% |
| West | 31% | 34% | +3% |
South India holds the highest share at 30% in 2025. Growth is pan-India, driven by Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns (68% of women travellers originate here vs. 32% from Tier-1 metros).
Saheli Pink Smart Card 2026: Eligibility, Benefits, How to Apply, Centres & Full Details
Booking and Travel Behaviours
Women plan ahead more than men.
- 62% of women book tickets at least 1 day before travel (vs. 48% for men).
Key booking factors for women:
- Bus ratings by other women: 33%
- Number of women on the bus: 47%
Travel experience priorities (from women passenger survey):
- Staff behaviour: 50%
- Live tracking: 48%
- Rest stop hygiene: 36%
- Boarding point safety: 29%
Indian States with the Largest Electric Bus Fleet: Top 6 Leaders in 2026
Women’s Mobility Index by State
The index weights women’s travel share (50%), solo trips (35%), and long journeys >500 km (15%). Scores range 50-100.
| State | Index Score |
|---|---|
| Gujarat | 95 |
| Maharashtra | 85 |
| Karnataka | 77 |
| Kerala | 82 |
| Tamil Nadu | 81 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 68 |
| Telangana | 89 |
| Odisha | 98 |
| Chhattisgarh | 87 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 92 |
| West Bengal | 97 |
| Assam | 76 |
| Pondicherry | 94 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 55 |
| Delhi | 66 |
| Haryana | 74 |
| Punjab | 100 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 90 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 60 |
| Tripura | 53 |
| Mizoram | 63 |
| Manipur | 61 |
| Meghalaya | 79 |
| Sikkim | 69 |
| Nagaland | 65 |
| Goa | 50 |
| Jharkhand | 84 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 56 |
| Bihar | 52 |
| Rajasthan | 71 |
| Uttarakhand | 73 |
Top performers include Punjab (100), Odisha (98), and West Bengal (97).
Catch the latest Bus Industry updates, Exclusive Interviews, Bus News, and International Bus News on Coach Builders India. Download the latest issue of the The Bus Insider magazine for more insights.
