Allow Guwahati city bus service operations, GMTA appeals to Government

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Metro Transport Association (GMTA) has appealed to the State government to allow operations of city bus services in Guwahati.

GMTA general secretary Bipul Kalita informed the mediapersons that the city bus services have been suspended since the COVID-19 outbreak. Thus, the owners and staff of the association have been severely impacted due to the closure of the services.

It is to be noted that the GMTA includes four city bus associations of Guwahati and has around 700 buses under its banner.

"There are around 4,200 families who are connected to the city bus service. If all the members of the families are considered then around 20 to 25 thousand people are being affected due to the suspension of the services," Kalita asserted.

Further, he underlined that the Assam government has issued order allowing malls and gymnasiums to operate between Monday and Friday. But, not directives were issued in case of city buses.

The association asserted that they will agree to whatever regulation the government issues to the run the buses.

Earlier, the GMTA had submitted an application to the Transport Department appealing to exempt road tax for two quarters of the year. It also urged the Department to relax the insurance and extend the date to 6 months.

In its appeal, the body had highlighted that around 80 per cent of the vehicles have been brought by paying installments. It demanded government subsidies to pay for the monthly installments along with financial assistance for both owners and workers.

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