HRTC Moves Quickly to Hire 656 Temporary Drivers Amid Strike Concerns
With the threat of an indefinite strike by drivers and conductors looming large, the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) has moved swiftly to keep public transport running. The corporation has begun the process of recruiting 656 temporary heavy vehicle drivers to ensure that bus services across the state remain uninterrupted.
An official advertisement was released on Tuesday, inviting applications from eligible candidates. According to HRTC officials, these drivers will be hired on a daily-wage basis and deployed across different depots depending on operational needs. The aim is clear—avoid any disruption that could inconvenience thousands of daily commuters who rely on the service.
The recruitment drive will cover 31 transport units across the state. The urgency of the move reflects the ongoing tensions between HRTC management and employee unions, who have been warning of a strike over pending demands. In response, the state government has already invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prevent a shutdown of transport services.
A large number of vacancies have been distributed across key regions. Units such as Rampur, Rohru, Shimla (Rural and Local), Karsog, Nerwa, Solan, Nahan, Mandi, Kullu, Keylong, Sundernagar, Chamba, Palampur, Baijnath, Hamirpur, Dehra, and Bilaspur will each see 25 drivers recruited. Other areas like Una, Nagrota, Sarkaghat, and Dharampur have been allotted 20 positions each. Smaller allocations include 15 posts each in Reckong Peo and Nalagarh, 12 in Jogindernagar, 10 each in Parwanoo and Pathankot, and six in Sansarpur.
To be eligible, candidates must have passed Class 10 from a recognized board and hold a valid heavy or transport vehicle driving licence (HTV/HMV) with at least three years of driving experience. Additionally, applicants must have a clean record, with no involvement in serious traffic violations or criminal cases.
Selected drivers will be paid a fixed honorarium of ₹1,500 per day. However, HRTC has made it clear that these appointments are strictly temporary. The positions will not lead to permanent jobs, seniority benefits, or any form of long-term employment within the corporation.
The corporation has also outlined clear guidelines for the recruitment process. Candidates will not be provided any travel or daily allowance for attending the selection. Moreover, HRTC has reserved the right to modify the number of vacancies or even cancel the recruitment at any stage if required.
Walk-in interviews along with driving tests are scheduled for June 24, 2026. Interested candidates have been asked to report to their respective Regional Manager offices between 12 noon and 1 pm. They must carry all necessary documents, including educational certificates, driving licence, Aadhaar card or other ID proof, experience certificates, and self-attested copies.
As part of the application process, candidates will also need to submit a declaration confirming that no criminal case is pending against them and that they have not been convicted in any case.
For now, the focus of HRTC remains on keeping buses on the road and minimizing inconvenience to the public. While the standoff with employee unions continues, this recruitment drive serves as a stop-gap measure to ensure that daily life across Himachal Pradesh does not come to a halt.
