IntrCity SmartBus has redefined long-distance road travel in India with a groundbreaking approach that addresses a crucial need — access to clean, functional washrooms on buses. The company’s innovative move to introduce onboard washrooms aims to improve comfort, convenience, and hygiene for travellers, particularly for women, families, and seniors. Manish Rathi, Co-Founder & CEO of IntrCity SmartBus, discusses the inspiration behind this revolutionary initiative, its impact on the travel experience, and how the company is overcoming challenges to make long-distance bus travel a more attractive and viable alternative to trains.
What inspired IntrCity to introduce onboard washrooms on buses, and how has it transformed the travel experience for passengers?
The inspiration for putting in washrooms on the bus came through multiple angles.
First and foremost - we believe that access to a toilet - especially for certain segments of travellers - is a matter of dignity, safety and health. It is an essential prerequisite for any mode of travel. For decades - bus travel in India severely lacked this aspect.
Second - It was evident to us that we Indians will have to increasingly rely on public bus travel as the highway infrastructure gets built and trains not scaling up at the pace required.
In the past, we saw that people preferred trains partly because of washroom access. We realised that if we wanted to encourage more people to choose bus travel, we had to meet those same basic needs. So, adding onboard washrooms was our solution to make long-distance bus travel more comfortable and stress-free, much like train journeys. Today, having this feature means our passengers can travel with more ease and choose buses without worrying about finding a washroom along the way. It has turned buses into a serious alternative for road travel, offering more comfort and flexibility.
Can you tell us about the features of the onboard washroom in SmartBus, and how they were designed to meet travellers' needs?
With an exception of hilly areas (for safety reasons) - IntrCity SmartBus now provides in-bus washroom buses on all routes where we operate. Our bus transformation team has spent years transforming the layout of the bus for water storage and efficient waste disposal.
Our onboard washrooms are equipped with essential features ensuring users have access to a complete hygiene setup. The washrooms are deliberately designed to be compact to ensure safety, especially when the bus is in motion. A smaller, more compact space reduces movement, allowing passengers to use the facility safely, even on uneven roads. Every element of the washroom was chosen to ensure both utility and safety, making it a practical solution for travellers' needs during their journey. The washroom has been equipped with mechanisms for efficient water consumption.
How does IntrCity ensure consistent maintenance and sanitation of these washrooms, particularly on long-distance routes?
To maintain cleanliness and sanitation, we follow a strict standard operating procedure. Each washroom is cleaned and restocked with water before the journey begins, and we have checks in place to ensure everything is in working order. On longer routes, we schedule stops at designated points to refill water and conduct quick cleaning, whenever feasible. Additionally, we set clear guidelines to encourage passengers to use the facilities responsibly, helping us maintain a high level of cleanliness and accessibility throughout the journey.
What are some of the challenges that prevent washrooms from being standard on long-distance buses across India?
There are two main challenges. First, unlike trains, buses aren’t originally designed to have washrooms, so we have to retrofit them. This requires adjustments to ensure they’re compact, secure, and don’t take up too much space. Second, there’s the issue of water supply. Buses have limited capacity for carrying water, and finding places on the highway to refill, especially at night, can be difficult.
These factors make it challenging to provide washrooms on every bus, but we’re committed to overcoming these hurdles on our main routes. Water access and design limitations mean we have to manage resources carefully and set rules to keep washrooms functional for the entire journey. In this way, we’re making strides in providing an essential facility that road travel has long lacked.
What impact do you think having washrooms on buses would have on the travel experience, especially for women and families?
Having washrooms on board makes travel much easier for women, families, seniors, and people with health issues. It takes away the worry of finding a washroom, letting travellers enjoy the trip without stress. For many passengers, this feature has made IntrCity buses a top choice, as they know they can count on a more comfortable and convenient journey.
