LUCKNOW, May 5 -- Nearly 20% of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses-around 2,600 out of 13,000-are currently off the roads due to a shortage of conductors, according to UPSRTC spokesperson Amarnath Sahai. The corporation is now working on multiple fronts to fill the gap and support an upcoming fleet expansion.

To address the shortfall, UPSRTC has reopened its "Mritak Ashrit Scheme" after a nine-year pause. Under this scheme, 1,145 dependents of deceased employees will be appointed as conductors and 20 as drivers.

Separately, a special recruitment drive targeting women received 6,150 applications against a target of 5,000 conductor positions across the state. Sahai said, "Applications from the women's recrui...