GUWAHATI, March 6 - In a unique initiative, the State government today announced a new scheme named �Bhraman Sarathi� under which free and dedicated bus services will be provided for women and senior citizens within Guwahati.
In his budget speech, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that when it comes to use of public facilities, particularly, public transportation, �we often see that the women and the senior citizens experience a lot of hardship�. Although some seats in ASTC buses are reserved for all women and the elderly, they are sometimes wrongly occupied by others and are mostly inadequate.
He said the new scheme will not only ensure safe and comfortable travel but will also encourage them to use public transportation instead of private vehicles.
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.
The ASTC will provide free ride to unemployed youths for appearing in various examinations and 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 youths once a photocopy of the same is handed over to him.
The cost accrued against such free ride will be reimbursed to ASTC so that the financial health of ASTC is not compromised while implementing these schemes.
