Assam govt launches ‘Uberization Scheme’ to boost public transport

GUWAHATI: In a bid to promote entrepreneurial spirit in transport sector in the state, the Assam government today launched the 'Uberization Scheme’ to aid entrepreneur purchase buses to ply under state transport authorities.

The scheme, to be implemented in association with the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), is a beneficiary-oriented one where the beneficiary could purchase buses with loan from the bank in which he/she would get a government sponsored subsidy of 25 per cent.

The subsidy would comprise partly as subsidy and partly as interest free loan, said a statement issued by the government.

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The buses this purchased would be operated under the ASTC in compliance with privately operated bus rules.

Under the apparently assembly elections-oriented scheme, the state government has sanctioned 339 buses and a fund of Rs 25 crore. The sanctioned buses include 100 super buses, 105 short distance buses, 89 city buses, once city bus for other cities, 12 buses for tea garden areas, five buses for developing areas, 11 buses for Bodoland Territorial Region and 16 semi deluxe buses, the statement said.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off buses under the scheme here today.

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Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged ‘transformation through transportation’ in the country and the state government has been taking rapid strides towards achieving the target of smooth connectivity across the state. This scheme will generate a lot of employment opportunities for the unemployed youths in the state and also remove communication bottlenecks, he added.

Calling on the young entrepreneurs to set an example of success, Sonowal said the buses operated by the young beneficiaries must set an example of punctuality, efficiency and timely public service in the state.