Patowary on job to give ASTC a fresh lease of life

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 19: In order to make Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) the centre of attraction for travellers among the whole lot of travel agencies active from the State, State Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has taken a slew of measures that are likely to give the corporation a fresh lease of life.

Patowary today iugurated an ASTC control room at Paltan Bazar. According to Patowary, the control room has toll free number 18003453986 and Whatsapp numbers 9854006002, 9854006003, 9854006004 with social media interaction, i.e. dedicated face book page and twitter. The control room will function 24 x 7 hours with dedicated manpower to address problems of passengers, drivers and conductors.

The minister said that the Government has decided to give a number of concessions to travellers. According to him, to avail the travellers have to purchase monthly and yearly passes/tickets. This apart, 100 per cent fare concession has been given to freedom fighters and physically challenged persons, 30 per cent to male students, 35 per cent to girl students, 80 per cent to authorized media persons  80% (DIPR accredited and recognized) and 35 per cent to senior citizens.

According to the minister, the Corporation will issue monthly pass at 20 per cent concessiol rate to daily travellers and will give 30 per cent concessiol rate for yearly pass. It has increased the trip allowance of drivers and conductors three times of the existing rate to fulfil their day-to-day need. Earlier it was 9 paise and 10 paise per km for entire Assam and 25 paise per km for urban area. “Now it will be 35 paise and 75 paise per km respectively. Similarly ASTC has decided to give share to driver and conductor to ensure motivation level and efficient service. 25%, 30% and 40% share will be given after 70%, 80% and 90% of occupancy respectively,” he said.

ASTC is announcing special scheme that if one buys five tickets then he/she ill get one ticket free. ASTC has decided to make sustained effort to ensure clean bus clean station. ASS/SS/DS are made responsible for clean station, similarly drivers and conductors will be in charge to keep the bus clean.

ASTC has also decided to pay all pending dues of their own retired and serving employees as well as to pay all the liabilities of market shortly. The government has decided to give one-time fincial assistance for betterment of ASTC to ensure that ASTC start with clean slate.