GUWAHATI: The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has introduced a new scheme, "ASTC Uberisation Scheme" to provide timely transportation facilities and attract budding entrepreneurs in the state.
Under this scheme 678 buses will be introduced in which interested candidates-individuals, small business enterprise or self-help groups (SHGs), can apply by putting their buses on routes to be operated under the ASTC.
Speaking at a press meet, Chairperson of ASTC Ashok Kumar Bhattarai said, "The beneficiaries will get 25 per cent subsidy – 15 percent of which is refundable in the form of interest-free loan to be repaid over a period of five years and 10 per cent is non-refundable. An applicant has to pay Rs 1,000 as application fee and he or she cannot apply for more than five routes.”
It is to be mentioned that currently there are 850 ASTC-owned buses and 1,369 buses under ASTC which are plying in Assam.
State finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while presenting the annual state budget 2019-20 had announced that the state government intends to put 1000 new buses on the roads of Assam over the next three years.
An amount of Rs 70 crore has been earmarked for the initiative, under 'Uberisation of ASTC' Scheme.