200 ‘green buses’ likely to be launched in Guwahati next month

Guwahati: The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) is planning to roll out green buses on the streets of Guwahati as early as next month, Business North East has learned.

Managing Director of ASTC Rahul Das, speaking to Business North East, said, “We intend to roll out 200 such vehicles as part of our new environment-friendly approach. We have set the target for January 2024 for the introduction of this new fleet. By the end of January, we hope to launch all 200 vehicles that are being readied.”

Earlier, the ASTC head had informed that the state government intends to introduce around 300 hi-tech buses running on electricity and compressed natural gas (CNG) as part of India’s resolve to achieve ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2070.

According to Das, these buses will decrease the overhead cost and be more convenient for running on busy city streets. Although these state-of-the-art vehicles manufactured by Tata and Olectra carry hefty price tags, the government is said to be mulling “subsidies and other benefits” for private players interested in rolling out such vehicles. "These initial 200 buses are being bought under the Guwahati smart city project. The government is also mulling whether to buy more such vehicles in the future", Das informed this outlet.

Another official divulged that the ASTC is setting up charging stations at five locations scattered across the city and neighbouring towns – Jagiroad, Baihata Chariali, Mirza, ISBT headquarters at Betkuchi, and an ASTC workshop in Rupnagar.

“These buses will be intra-city, and inter-city and have wheelchairs for the disabled. The Green electric buses to be launched by Assam State Corporation Limited will run not only within city but also in areas adjoining Guwahati”, the ASTC official said.

2023 has been a big year for the ASTC as it launched its ambitious ‘City Cab’ app in June to challenge the duopoly of OLA and Uber “as part of a special effort to make Guwahati's commuters' access to convenient transportation options easier.”

The state transport corporation is also eyeing the two-wheeler taxi sector currently dominated by Karnataka-headquartered Rapido. “Customers will soon be able to install an ASTC app Baayu to summon bike taxis”, an ASTC official disclosed to Business North East earlier this month.

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