The Uttar Pradesh government has made extensive preparations for people heading back home for the festivals of Diwali and Chhath Puja, kind of like usual but with extra attention. Because they are expecting a heavy rush and possible inconvenience for passengers during this time, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, UPSRTC , has decided to run more buses.
These special bus services will be in operation from November 6 to November 17, 2026. The plan is to increase the number of buses, so passengers can get some relief, especially those coming from Delhi, Ghaziabad, and other major cities going toward Purvanchal region. Also, eligible drivers and conductors who stay on duty throughout the festive period will get an incentive of ₹400 per day.
Major preparations by UP Roadways for Diwali and Chhath
Every year, a big number of people return home from other cities for Diwali and Chhath Puja. In particular, folks from Uttar Pradesh who work in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and other metropolitan zones, they head back to their villages and hometowns for the celebrations. Seeing this rise in passenger movement, UPSRTC has put together a special type of transport setup. Extra buses will be run from November 6 till November 17, so that passengers can get a bus on time , without having to stand around for long waiting stretches.
Additional buses to operate from November 6 to November 17
According to the transport corporation’s plan, extra bus services will be available for 12 consecutive days during the festive season. During this period, the frequency of bus trips will be increased based on passenger demand and requirements. Officials have been instructed to promptly arrange for additional buses on routes expected to see a high volume of travelers. This initiative aims to reduce overcrowding at bus terminals during the festive period and make travel more convenient.
Bus services from Delhi to the Purvanchal region to be increased
This special arrangement is expected to primarily help passengers who are living in Delhi and nearby surrounding places. More buses will be run from Delhi to big cities like Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Kanpur also, and not just those. Also, bus services going toward Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Meerut, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Agra, Aligarh, and Etawah, will see a further boost based on what passenger demand looks like.
Additional buses to be deployed immediately if passenger numbers rise
The Transport Corporation, planned to organize bus operations based on passenger demand and well , y know it. Officials have been asked to bring in extra bus services on any route where the passenger occupancy goes over 60 percent. Regional managers will be given permission to tweak the number of buses, and also the trip frequency, whenever it feels necessary. So this should end up giving some relief to passengers who usually have trouble, getting tickets or seats during the festive season .
Drivers and conductors to receive ₹400 per day
This time, the Transport Corporation has decided to provide special incentives for its staff, as well , you know. Eligible drivers and conductors, who actually meet the specified criteria will get an incentive of ₹400 per day. And this scheme doesn’t stop only there , it also covers contractual staff and outsourced personnel, which is kind of important.
The idea is to make sure the maximum possible number of buses keeps moving during the festive period, and also to push employees to provide consistently high-quality service, every single day.
How much bonus for 11 or 12 days of duty?
For the incentive to apply, employees must somehow satisfy the performance standards that have been laid down. Eligible staff who finish at least 11 days of duty with an average daily operation of 300 kilometers, will be given a total payout of ₹4,400. On the other hand, employees who complete 12 full days of duty and also meet the prescribed distance target will receive ₹4,800 as an incentive. This amount, will come as a lump sum. So basically employees will be required to meet the kilometer targets along with their scheduled duty days, no exceptions, unless stated otherwise.
Benefits for exceeding kilometer targets
There is an extra incentive in place now, for those who are eligible contractual and outsourced drivers or conductors. They also get paid if they manage to run buses beyond the set kilometer targets, not just the fixed route, etc. For any extra distance, the pay is 55 paise per kilometer, but only for the portion that goes past the prescribed number. Also there is a little more in it for eligible drivers who operate electric buses. For example if someone covers about 3,300 kilometers in an electric bus over at least 11 days of duty, they could get an extra amount close to ₹1,000.
Incentives for workshop staff
Workshop staff, play a pretty crucial role in keeping bus services better for passengers, especially during the festive season. They work all the time on bus repairs, technical inspections and general maintenance, you know, the usual kind of things. With this in mind, the Transport Corporation has come up with an incentive scheme for the workshop people who are eligible. If someone manages to complete 12 consecutive days on duty, they get ₹2,500, and if they complete 11 days of duty they get ₹2,100.
Special Arrangements for Passenger Safety
In addition to running extra buses, there will be some more emphasis on passenger safety, like, more attention than usual. The Transport Corporation has issued directives to keep the buses fit and technically sound, so no bus that is deemed unfit will be allowed out on the road. Also, drivers and conductors will undergo breathalyzer tests before their shift starts, just to make sure that nobody drives a bus while under alcohol influence. On top of that, there’s a real focus on cleanliness at bus terminals, and making sure passengers can reach the necessary information, when they need it.
Significant Relief for Passengers During the Festive Season
These special arrangements by UP Roadways are, well expected to be rather beneficial for the lakhs of passengers who are traveling back home for Diwali and Chhath Puja. The deployment of additional buses should give more travel choices for those going toward the Purvanchal region from Delhi and other major metropolitan cities , as well. At the same time, the incentives provided to the staff are expected to help make sure the bus services run smoothly, without much hassle. So passengers are advised to check the bus timings and availability at their nearest bus terminal or through the official UPSRTC website before planning their trip.
FAQs
Q1. When will UP Roadways operate Diwali-Chhath special buses in 2026?
A. Special bus services are scheduled from November 6 to November 17, 2026.
Q2. How much daily incentive will UP Roadways drivers and conductors receive?
A. Eligible drivers and conductors will receive ₹400 per day after meeting the prescribed duty and distance requirements.
Q3. Which routes will benefit from the additional bus services?
A. Major routes connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad and other cities to eastern Uttar Pradesh will receive additional bus services.
