Guwahati: The Kamrup (Metro) Regional Transport Authority has set Dec 15 as the deadline for implementing colour-coded schemes on city buses, including both private and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) vehicles, in the second phase.
The implementation requires all buses to display two parallel elongated strips on their bodies. The upper strip indicates the route's starting point, while the lower strip shows the route's terminus.
The RTA board has sanctioned 10 new bus routes in the second phase, each with distinct colour combinations. Notable routes include Chandrapur to Dharapur buses featuring an aqua upper strip and blue lower strip. Airport to Paltan Bazar buses will display olive on top with checkered red and white below. ISBT to Paltan Bazar buses will have checkered black and white as the upper strip.
RTA secretary Tamsin Aftab highlighted the passenger benefits of this system. "By associating specific colors with particular routes or destinations, passengers can quickly and easily recognize the bus they need to take without relying on written signs or announcements," the secretary said.
She further noted that this system would contribute to better traffic management throughout the city.
The RTA has directed ASTC to paste rectangular stickers measuring 1.5 feet by 1.0 feet. These new stickers must be displayed on all four sides of the vehicles. The authority has also decided to place these identifying stickers at city bus stops.
The initial phase, launched earlier this year, included 15 RTA-approved routes, comprising six within the city and nine extending to outer areas.