Assam's Public Transport Sector Faces Uncertainty amid Covid-19 Outbreak

Guwahati:

Although the restrictions imposed by the Government are now being eased as we enter the fourth phase of the lockdown, the public transport sector of Assam is yet to heave a sigh of relief.

While city buses, Magic taxis, Travelers, etc are now being allowed to ply with reduced capacity, few passengers seem eager to board these vehicles amid the sharp spike in coronavirus cases in Assam and across the country.

"When the third phase of the lockdown came into force, 100 buses were allowed back on the streets. In the next phase, another 100 buses were allowed to run. However, the owners of the vehicles were left with only Rs 100-200 in their hands. The silver lining was the drivers and handymen were filling their bellies with food, although commissions were lessened. As the days are going on, the number of people is decreasing and people are now hesitant to board the buses", All Assam Motor Transport Association Secretary General Pradip Das told The Sentinel Digital.

Das further opined that if the current trend continues, the few buses that still continue to run will soon be off the roads. "Even 50% seats are not being filled, and many buses have gone off road. Only 70-80 buses are running and it is to be seen for how long they run as it is not economically viable", he said.

Seeking the Government's aid to tide over the crisis, he complained, "In the Rs 20 lakh crore package that was announced recently, not a single rupee has been allotted for the Transport sector." He further said that the Government should provide subsidies for the sector and make provisions to ensure that the losses that are incurred by the sector are manageable. "Just like the Government is bearing the losses of the ASTC, we should granted similar relief measures so that we can keep giving services to the people",  Das said.'s

Ruing the lessened number of people willing to take the risk of boarding public vehicles amid the pandemic spread, a Magic driver told The Sentinel Digital  that the owners of the vehicles are now having to double as drivers. "There is no profit. Owners of the vehicles are having to double as drivers while the actual drivers are doing odd jobs such as selling vegetables, doing menial labour jobs, etc. Now, we can only board 3 customers, which is bad tidings for us as it directly cuts into our income", he said.

The return of the tempos on Guwahati streets stands to further pose problems for the Magic drivers. "We are in trouble as we are only being allowed to ferry 3 passengers. Now, tempos have returned and our troubles have increased. It is taking a long time to fill our seats; earlier, we could move quickly after getting 3 passengers, but no such luck now as we have to compete with the tempos", another driver rued.

With rising diesel prices and number of passengers restricted to only 50% in keeping with social distancing norms, tough times are far from over for these small operators, who once used to run a profitable business in the bustling city that Guwahati once was. According the All Assam Motor Transport Association, an estimated 70,000 buses, auto rickshaws and magic taxis are giving direct or indirect employment to about 2 lakh people, who now stare at uncertain times in the pandemic era.