Uberization Scheme, Assam

In the budget of 2019, the Assam Government announced the Uberization scheme. This scheme is implemented by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). On August 11, 2020 the state government announced to provide subsidies to the beneficiaries, which will be 25% of the cost of buses. The beneficiaries will have to operate under ASTC for a minimum of 5 years. This was announced for successful implementation of the scheme.

Scheme Overview:

Scheme Objectives and Benefits:

• The main objective of the scheme is to strengthen the transport sector in the state.
• It enables more public transport to meet the demand and supply of buses in the state.
• This scheme will provide opportunities to entrepreneurs to get into this sector
• 25% subsidies are also announced by the state, so as to attract more and more people. Only 75% is to be borne by the bus owner/beneficiary
• Beneficiaries will get all the public service facilities at ASTC bus terminus
• It will enable overall transport development in the state in the long run.

Beneficiaries:    

• Individual entrepreneur
• Partnership firm
• Start-up companies
• Self-help groups

Application Process:

• Application process will be continued as per the instruction and notification if ASTC.
• For applying under the scheme, the applicants need to visit the office ASTC website @ astc.assam.gov.in

• Application link will be available on the portal, the applicant needs click on the link and fill the application form, with a fee payment of Rs. 1,000/-
• Terms and Conditions for the overall process are available on the website itself.
• One applicant can apply for a maximum of 5 applications in different routes
• For each route the applicants have to pay the application fees
• One application will be valid for one route only
• Applicant should choose a proper route number in every application accordingly
• The applications are to be made as per the timeline provided by the ASTC

Selection Process:

• Selection of beneficiaries is solely as per the decision of ASTC authorities
• The selection criteria set by ASTC is that the beneficiaries will be selected as per first come, first serve basis
• Final decision of selection remains with the ASTC authorities only.

Key Points:

• Under Uberization scheme, about 668-700 buses will be added for a financial year
• The no. of buses is planned to increase in the coming financial years
• Implementing authority of this scheme is ASTC
• Beneficiaries will get 25% subsidy on the cost of vehicle out of which 15% is refundable and 10% is non refundable
• The assumed cost of 1 super bus is maximum Rs. 40 lakhs and 24 lakhs for an inter district or city bus.
• This scheme will cover the each and every part of the state, including Guwahati city, BTAD, hilly areas, tea garden areas and developing areas.
• Each beneficiary will get maximum 5 buses each
• They have to operate under ASTC at least for 5 years mandatory
• Beneficiaries will get all the public service facilities at ASTC bus terminus
• City bus service is also to be announced in the state soon. The 4 major towns covered currently for this are Jorhat, Silchar, Dibrugarh and Tezpur.
• Thus, the uberization scheme is basically for meeting the ever-rising demand for public transport and thereby strengthening the state public transport sector as a whole.