About Buses

Buses are commercial vehicles designed to carry multiple passengers efficiently and safely. These commercial buses are widely used for public transportation, tourism services, corporate staff transportation and educational institutions. Modern buses in India are built with strong chassis structures, efficient engines and advanced safety features to ensure reliable performance. Engine power in buses can range from 100 HP to more than 400 HP depending on the size and purpose of the vehicle.

India's bus industry features many diverse body types, including: mini, city, intercity, sleeper and deluxe sleeper coach buses; Each of these vehicle types has its own unique purpose as they fulfill each of the many types of passenger transportation needs throughout the country. Many operators choose to add sleeper buses to their fleet based on long haul routes where the increased level of comfort allows for a more comfortable overnight trip for the passenger on an intercity route. The price of a sleeper coach varies greatly depending on the seating capacity, number of sleeper berths as well as the luxury features of that vehicle model.

Along with traditional diesel buses, manufacturers are also introducing electric and hydrogen powered buses to support cleaner transportation. These buses help reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable mobility. Leading bus manufacturers in India include Tata Motors , Ashok Leyland , BharatBenz Volvo and Scania These manufacturers offer a large variety of buses for various numbers of passengers and uses.

Best-Selling Bus Models in India 2026

Model	Seating Capacity	Power	Price Range
Tata Starbus Ultra 9/9	32 Seater	123 HP	₹16.00 Lakh
Eicher Skyline Pro 3011	32 Seater	160 HP	₹29 - 36 Lakh
Ashok Leyland Viking	52 Seater	160 HP	₹27 - 30 Lakh
BharatBenz 1017 Bus	39 Seater	170 HP	₹26 Lakh
Tata Starbus AC LP 912	41 Seater	125 HP	₹20 - 22 Lakh
Volvo 9400 B11R	45 Seater	430 HP	₹90 Lakh - ₹1.2 Crore

Prices are indicative ex-showroom and may vary by city.

Buses by Body Type

Mini Bus

Mini buses are small commercial buses that can transport groups of people together; from 12 to 25 people depending on the bus size. Mini buses are usually used for transportation of students, tourists and corporate employees; this means that a typical use for this type of vehicle would be to transfer children from school to their homes or from an airport to a hotel. Because the size of the vehicle is very compact and able to be driven into tight areas, they make a good choice for getting around cities and driving on narrow roadways.

School Bus

School buses are manufactured to provide a safe means of transport for children as they travel both from their home to school and back again. School buses typically have safety systems in place including speed limiting device, emergency exits, seat belts and rails to keep children safe during transportation. Most of the academic institutions in India operate either 20 to 40 seat capacity school buses, based on how many children are going to be transported each day.

City Bus

City buses are designed for urban passenger transport and operate on fixed routes with frequent stops. These buses usually provide easy passenger entry and exit along with standing space for high passenger flow. Many state transport corporations operate large fleets of commercial buses to support public transportation in major cities across India.

Intercity Bus

Buses that travel between cities are called intercity buses. Many intercity buses have large open passenger compartments, large luggage storage area and an air conditioning system that will help create a comfortable travel environment over long distances. In addition to the long distance method of travel, many companies now offer both air conditioned coaches and luxury buses to enhance your travel experience.

Sleeper Bus and Sleeper Coach Bus

A sleeper bus is specifically designed for long distance overnight travel. Instead of traditional seating, these buses provide sleeping berths where passengers can lie down during the journey. Premium operators often use sleeper coach bus models equipped with air conditioning, improved suspension and luxury interiors. The sleeper bus price is generally higher compared to regular buses because of the additional comfort features and sleeper berth layout.

Buses by Seating Capacity

Buses are available in multiple seating configurations depending on their application.

• 12 to 20 Seater Buses – These buses are commonly used for shuttle services, tourism operations and short distance passenger transport.
• 20 Seater Bus – A 20 seater bus is widely used by schools, hotels and corporate companies for daily transportation needs.
• 30 to 40 Seater Buses – These buses are commonly used for staff transport, school services and medium distance passenger routes.
• 45 to 55 Seater Buses – Large capacity buses are typically used for intercity bus operations and long distance passenger travel.

Buses by Fuel Type

Diesel Buses

Diesel powered buses are the most common commercial buses in India. These buses are widely used for intercity bus services, school transport, staff mobility and tourism operations because diesel engines provide strong torque and better reliability for long distance travel. Most sleeper bus and sleeper coach bus models used for overnight travel are powered by diesel engines due to their ability to handle heavy passenger loads on highways.

Diesel buses also have a wide service network, which makes them a preferred choice for fleet operators. Some popular Diesel Bus models are Tata Starbus Ultra, Ashok Leyland Viking, Eicher Skyline Pro, BharatBenz 1017, Volvo 9400. These buses are widely used by transport operators for both city routes and intercity bus travel across India.

CNG Buses

CNG Buses have gained a lot of popularity in the major cities as they create less pollution than conventional Diesel Buses. Many urban transport authorities in India have adopted CNG Buses to reduce air pollution and to make public transportation more fuel efficient. In general, CNG Buses are used for urban transport and are used for the Mini Bus service on set routes, they can also be used for short distance passenger transport if there are CNG refuelling points available.

Some of the popular CNG Bus models are Tata Starbus CNG, Ashok Leyland CNG, Eicher Skyline CNG. These buses are commonly used by municipal transport corporations and private operators for city bus operations.

Electric Buses

A growing number of State transport agencies and City transportation authorities are purchasing and utilizing electric powered buses in urban transit systems and public transport systems as a way to improve sustainability over conventional diesel powered buses. This presents an opportunity for electric bus manufacturers to create new markets for their products and provide a better option for urban transit agencies and public transport providers utilizing electric powered buses to meet various local, regional and national objectives.

Some popular Electric Bus models are Tata Starbus EV, Olectra K7 Electric Bus, PMI Electro E9 Bus. Electric buses are mostly used for city transport services and short distance passenger routes.

Hydrogen Buses

In the commercial transportation industry, hydrogen buses are one of the most advanced environmental friendly mobility alternatives. The fuel cells in these buses produce electricity from hydrogen and only produces water vapor as a by-product. Hydrogen Buses are in their early stages in India. However, numerous pilot projects are now taking place to promote sustainable public transit.

Tata Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Ashok Leyland Hydrogen Bus (Prototype) are examples of some of the most popular Hydrogen Buses now being developed in India. In the near future, hydrogen powered buses will likely have a considerable impact on India's bus industry as well as long distance passenger transit vehicles.

Why Choose Buses From 91trucks?

91trucks is designed to help buyers and fleet operators make informed decisions when purchasing commercial buses. On our platform, you can:

• Compare multiple buses side by side
• Check latest bus price in India
• Explore detailed specifications and features
• Find nearby bus dealers and showrooms
• Calculate EMI and finance options
• Read expert reviews and buying guides

If you are looking for bus price, sleeper bus price, mini bus options or intercity bus models, 91trucks provides all the information you need in one place. Start exploring the latest buses in India and choose the right bus for your passenger transport business.