ASTC Issues Instructions for Bus Travel: Here's what You Need to Know

Guwahati, May 4, 2020:

The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), which will now oversee the running of buses in the state amid easing of restrictions post the second phase of the lockdown, has issued a set of directives for the people who wish to travel to their destinations via buses.

For today onwards, 100 city buses will ply in Guwahati city from 6 .30 am to 5 pm and the entire ticketing will be done through the challo app for city buses, which will be fully digital. At the same time, offline ticketing will not be permitted for the passengers.

Passengers will not be allowed to board the buses without wearing masks and have also been instructed to use gloves while entering.

Passengers will not be allowed to stand during travel, and it will be treated as an offense.

At the same time, only 50% seats are allotted for travel; the rest of the seats will be kept vacant.

No spitting shall be allowed -- not at the bus-station or in the bus or from the bus.

Furthermore, the buses have been instructed not to carry any live animals in view of the African Swine Fever outbreak in the state.

Any violation of above norms by passengers or the staff will lead to legal action, said the ASTC circular.

The bus staff, meanwhile, has been instructed not to carry any wayside passenger who have not taken digital ticket or has not booked tickets in advance.

Meanwhile, the scheduled departure and arrival of few intercity and inter district buses are already being uploaded on redbus portal and these services are being given from various parts of state. People may book there buses through the red-bus portal, said the ASTC.

These rules will come into effect after the end of the Lockdown 2.0, as the nation steps into Lockdown 3.0. A curfew has been called by the Assam Government from 6 am-6 am which will see only essential services being conducted. All other movement and activities will be bard.

In the non-curfew time also, several restrictions will be places on people as well as business establishments.

Note: People above 65 years and below 12 years cannot leave their homes, except medical needs.

Note: Masks and social distancing are mandatory in public.

Note: Relaxations are not applicable in red/orange zones.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.