ASTC reduces free buses to four from 25

Guwahati: The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has reduced the number of pink buses, which were launched last year by the previous state government to provide free services to women and the elderly, from 25 to just four citing low passenger traffic in the last couple of months.
However, sources in ASTC said the decision was taken owing to heavy financial losses. “The corporation spends around Rs 4 crore to run the buses ensuring its availablity till at night across the city. Increase in fuel prices, vehicle maintenance and other costs are the other factors behind the decision,” the source added.
Two buses will ply on the Jalukbari-Khanapara route and two will ply on Jalukbari-Narengi route from 7 am to 6.30 pm.