Guwahati city buses start issuing mandatory e-tickets; machines cost Rs.11,000

The move to introduce e-ticketing systems in city buses is having a mixed response. The e-ticketing system has been introduced from November 1, issuing e-tickets to passengers for collection for fare in city buses.

While passengers have applauded the Transport Department's move, bus owners, drivers and conductors are unhappy about the same, mainly as it has put an end to the overcharging of fares from passengers.

"The ASTC bus was already issuing e-tickets since a long time and it is time for the other private owned public buses to do so”, said Himangshu Das, DTO (Enforcement), Kamrup (M).

The rates have already been fixed and the e-ticketing machines will generate the e-tickets as per the already decided rates. To ensure stringent implementation of the new norm, the enforcement department is conducting drives at various bus stops.

“Yesterday there was a lot of confusion between the bus conductors and drivers and the situation was quite chaotic amongst them but today being the second day of the enforcement the situation is quite under control. The process is going smoothly on the second day” said Himangshu Das.

Das also said that according to data there are 360 privately owned city buses apart from 120 ASTC buses.

The e-ticketing machines are sold at Rs.11,000 and all the private buses have to get this mandatory. The bus conductors are given special training to use the machine with an additional charge of Rs. 800.

“I have 10 buses and I have to buy 10 e-ticketing machines which costed me Rs.1.1 lakh. Additionally, for the training of the handyman to operate those machine I am paying another Rs.800 for each which is quite a lot," said Nazrul Islam Barbhuyan who owns ten buses named Raja Hindustani.

He also said that it will take around 3 to 6 months for the bus handyman to get trained to do the operations as they are not literate and not technically modern.

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