Assam State Transport Corporation to lease out 400 reparable old buses

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government has taken a policy decision to lease out old but reparable ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation) buses to local youths. The existing system is selling most of these buses as scraps.

The government has taken this decision to serve twin purposes: helping ASTC earn some revenue by leasing out buses and providing sources of income to local youths.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said, “ASTC has around 400 buses that can hit the road after repair. We have taken a policy decision not to repair such buses, as that is not sustainable for the corporation. Our engineers have examined the condition of each of these buses. The engineers said that around 400 such buses could hit the road if repaired. We will float tenders to lease out these 400 buses. It will fetch the corporation some revenue, besides providing sources of income to some local youths. The ownership of such buses will be with ASTC. The CMO (Chief Minister’s Office) has already approved our policy decision. After getting the nod from the Finance department, we will float the tender.”

Suklabaidya further said, “Since the condition of the buses is not the same, interested bidders can see the condition of the buses physically before bidding. A fleet of 400 buses hitting the roads in the state will also benefit commuters.”

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