Pink buses will soon run on the roads of Guwahati to provide free rides to women and senior citizens. A new scheme named ‘Bhraman Sarathi’ to provide this facility was announced by state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while presenting the state Budget for 2020-21 on March 6.
Under the scheme, free, dedicated bus services for women and senior citizens for travel within Guwahati will be started.
These buses, painted in pink colour, will be on some of the busiest routes through the day and will provide fast, safe and easy mobility to the women and the senior citizens of the state, he said.
Moreover, the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) will provide free ride to the unemployed youths for appearing in various examinations / job interviews.
The call letter and the date therein, provided for the interview will be considered as bus ticket for this purpose and the bus conductor will ensure free ride for these youth once a photocopy of the same is handed over to them.
The cost accrued against such free ride will be reimbursed to ASTC so that the financial health of ASTC will not be compromised while implementing these schemes.
An amount of Rs 148 crore has been allocated in the Budget for implementing these schemes, along with a few others, the minister said.
