Lucknow, Sept. 19 -- The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses can now be hired for weddings, picnics, family trips and educational tours.

However, the move could put additional pressure on Lucknow's already limited city bus fleet if vehicles are diverted from regular routes for private bookings.

UPSRTC has fixed charter rates for its buses for the first time, allowing advance or short-notice bookings for up to 24 hours and 400 km. The facility covers electric, air-conditioned, diesel and ordinary buses. In Lucknow, however, where the city fleet currently has 115 buses, only electric buses are available for such bookings. Around 300 additional city buses are to be added to the fleet soon.

UPSRTC regional manager...