The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has announced a significant financial incentive for contract employees of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). In a move aimed at benefiting thousands of transport workers, the state has declared a hike in the honorarium for contract drivers and conductors. The revised pay structure is scheduled to come into effect from January 1, 2026.

Transport Minister (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Singh confirmed the decision, stating that the hike will directly impact the per-kilometer remuneration received by the staff. This decision follows a previous increase that was implemented in January 2025.

Revised Rates for NCR and Other Regions

The hike varies depending on the operational region of the staff. For contract drivers and conductors operating in the Noida region, NCR region, Sonauli, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj depots, the rate has been increased by 10 paise per kilometer. Currently, these employees receive an average of Rs 2.18 per kilometer. Under the new structure, they will be paid Rs 2.28 per kilometer.

For regions outside the NCR and specific depots mentioned above, the hike has been set at 07 paise per kilometer. Consequently, drivers in these other areas will now be paid at a rate of Rs 2.20 per kilometer, while conductors will receive Rs 2.16 per kilometer.

According to official data, this revision will benefit a total of 37,238 personnel. This workforce comprises 16,203 drivers, 16,345 contract conductors, and 4,690 outsourced conductors.

Incentive Schemes for Performance

The government also detailed the structure for the ‘Navin Uttam Protsahan Yojana’ (New Excellent Incentive Scheme). To qualify for this scheme, drivers must have completed two years of continuous service, while conductors require four years. Additionally, employees must complete 288 days of duty and cover 66,000 kilometers of accident-free service within a financial year.

Under this scheme, a driver will receive a remuneration of Rs 14,687 plus an incentive of Rs 4,000, totaling approximately Rs 18,687. Similarly, a conductor will receive Rs 14,418 as remuneration and Rs 4,000 as an incentive, bringing their total payable amount to Rs 18,418. Once selected for this scheme, the staff must maintain a monthly duty of 22 days and operate buses for 5,000 kilometers.

High Performance and Loyalty Rewards

For higher performance under the ‘Navin Utkrisht Protsahan Yojana’ (New Outstanding Incentive Scheme), the criteria are stricter. Drivers must complete 288 duty days and cover 78,000 kilometers in a financial year. Qualifying drivers will receive a total of Rs 21,687 (Rs 14,687 salary + Rs 7,000 incentive). Conductors will receive a total of Rs 21,418 (Rs 14,418 remuneration + Rs 7,000 incentive). Beneficiaries of this tier must perform 24 days of duty and cover 6,000 kilometers monthly.

The administration has also introduced a retention or loyalty incentive. Contract drivers with 20 years of service will receive an additional Rs 1,500 monthly, while those with 10 years of service will get Rs 750 monthly.

Furthermore, an additional payment of Rs 4,000 is available for staff performing 24 days or more of duty, covering a minimum of 6,000 kilometers, and maintaining a 50 percent load factor. If the load factor requirement is not met, two-thirds of the effective incentive amount will be paid.