Guwahati: Passengers using Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) buses are set to experience a more technology-driven public transport system, with the state government introducing an Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) to improve bus monitoring, operations and safety.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the development through a post on social media, stating that the initiative would make ASTC’s bus services “not just smarter, but incredibly safer.”
The new system will enable real-time tracking of ASTC buses through GPS, allowing their movement to be monitored more effectively. The technology is also expected to assist transport authorities in managing bus operations and improving service efficiency.
According to the details highlighted in the announcement, the upgraded system will incorporate automated ticketing and e-payment facilities, making transactions more convenient for passengers. Emergency panic and SOS mechanisms linked to control centres are also part of the safety-focused features.
Another component of the system is smarter scheduling, which is intended to help optimise bus operations and reduce passenger waiting times.
The technology upgrade is particularly significant from a passenger-safety perspective, with emergency response and monitoring mechanisms expected to provide additional support during journeys.
The move forms part of ASTC’s broader efforts to modernise its public transport operations through digital technologies. The corporation has previously undertaken initiatives involving GPS tracking, electronic ticketing and technology-based monitoring of buses.
With ITMS now being highlighted by the Assam government as a key part of the next phase of ASTC’s modernisation, the state’s public transport network is expected to become increasingly connected, trackable and technology-enabled.
