UPSRTC set to operate more bus services to tackle Holi rush

Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) announced additional bus services for passengers travelling to and from Prayagraj for Holi celebrations. The services will be available from Feb 28 to March 9 to reduce long waiting times during the festive season.The corporation authorities said that 148 extra trips will operate daily on the key routes, taking the total number of additional trips to 1,628 in the 11-day period. The additional bus services will be available at Civil Lines (shifted to area near CMP Degree college) , Zero Road (shifted to area near Leprosy crossing), Leader Road and Jhunsi bus stations. The move aims to ensure convenient travel for people returning to Prayagraj and returning to Eastern UP and Delhi after Holi.On Delhi–Prayagraj route, seven buses were earmarked to operate additional trips along with their regular schedules. Besides, the frequency was increased on seven prominent routes—34 additional trips on the Prayagraj-Lucknow route; 20 on Prayagraj-Ayodhya; 24 each on Prayagraj-Kanpur and Prayagraj-Varanasi routes; 26 on Prayagraj-Jaunpur-Gorakhpur route, and 10 trips each on Prayagraj-Mirzapur and Prayagraj-Banda routes.The regional manager of UPSRTC Ravindra Kumar Singh said that the corporation has also introduced an incentive scheme for drivers, conductors and workshop staff. Personnel completing nine consecutive days of duty and operating buses for an average of 300 km daily will receive Rs 400 per day, amounting to Rs 3,600, and those working for 10 days will be paid Rs 4,500. Contractual and outsourced drivers, and conductors, will receive additional payment at the rate of 55 paise per km for the distance covered beyond the normal trip.The officials expressed hope that the arrangements will provide much-needed relief during the Holi rush.