Prayagraj: This Rakshabandhan, sisters will be able to travel free of cost across the state as the frequency of UP State Road Transport corporation (UPSRTC) buses has been increased to ensure convenience and help women avoid overcrowding during their journeys.Regional Manager of the Roadways Prayagraj region, Ravindra Kumar stated that, following government directives, women will be able to travel for free on Roadways buses during the festival. The Uttar Pradesh government has extended this free travel facility to women on both UP Roadways and city buses. This facility will be valid from 6:00am on August 27 until midnight (12:00am) on August 29. Women will be issued a zero-fare ticket (costing zero rupees). This facility will be available across all categories of Roadways buses.Kumar, meanwhile, said as many as 148 additional bus trips have been scheduled across seven routes in the Prayagraj region between August 26 and August 31. The routes with increased trips include Prayagraj-Lucknow (34 trips), Prayagraj-Kanpur (24), Prayagraj-Gorakhpur (26), Prayagraj-Varanasi (24), Prayagraj-Ayodhya (20), and 10 trips each for the Prayagraj-Mirzapur and Prayagraj-Banda routes.The UPSRTC authorities have focused not only on increasing the number of buses but also on enhancing passenger amenities. Instructions have been issued to ensure cleanliness, access to clean drinking water, and adequate lighting and fans in passenger waiting areas across all buses and bus stations. A round-the-clock control room will be established to provide continuous updates on bus operations to passengers. Supervisors will be present at all times at crowded bus stations, while depot and regional officials will also monitor the arrangements.A special scheme has been introduced to incentivize transport personnel who provide uninterrupted service during Raksha Bandhan. Eligible drivers and conductors who complete 1,800 kilometers of bus operations over a six-day period—subject to specific conditions—will receive an incentive of Rs 1,200. For contractual drivers and conductors, a provision exists for an additional payment of Rs 0.55 per kilometre for any distance covered beyond the 1,800-kilometre mark. Eligible technical staff at depots and regional workshops who maintain daily attendance for the six-day period will receive a one-time incentive of Rs 500. However, eligibility for drivers and conductors is contingent upon maintaining a load factor exceeding 64 %. A sum of Rs 90,000 has also been sanctioned to incentivize staff and supervisors who ensure excellent arrangements at designated bus stations.===eom
