GUWAHATI, Jan 24 - Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary flagged off the Volvo Luxury Segment Buses at ASTC, Paltan Bazar here today. The introduction of the luxury buses has been implemented in the PPP mode.
These buses will cover to and fro routes which would include Guwahati (ISBT)-Sadiya, North Lakhimpur-Guwahati, Guwahati-Siliguri and Guwahati-Sivasagar in the first phase.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony, Patowary said that ASTC is a public service institution and the luxury buses will hopefully be able to provide convenient and comfortable luxury services to the commuters at a competitive fare, which would be lower than the AC Chair train fare in Assam.
The buses, which have been introduced in PPP mode, will also contribute to the revenue of the State bus corporation.
The Minister further stated, �The luxury buses are equipped with AC, TV, wi-fi and mobile charging points. Besides, talks are also with Ola to provide pick-and-drop facility to the passengers for providing point-to-point connectivity.�
�A total of 34 Volvo buses will be introduced by the ASTC. Another set of 175 Mercedes buses will also be introduced in the next phase, next month,� the Minister announced.
He expressed happiness over the fact that ASTC�s revenue has increased by 34 per cent and expenditure by about 20 per cent. �The operational efficiency ensured through a slew of measures and dedicated service of ASTC staff will augur well for the future of ASTC,� he stated. ASTC Chairman Ashutosh Agnihotri and MD AP Tiwari were present in the meeting.
