There’s now another form of public mass transit available for Yangon residents
Two water buses are seen in the Yangon River at the ceremony to lauch. Photo: Phoe Khwar
A ceremony to launch the water bus service was held yesterday morning at Botahtaung jetty.
Yangon water bus operations were put in place in order to reduce traffic jams and improve the city’s transport system, officials said.
“Our government had laid down strict guideline for the Yangon water bus operating company, instead of giving them a free hand to do as they like. This is an attempt to improve transportation by using the rivers. We are improving the people’s situation at a minimum cost to the people. Any difficulties faced in the water bus operation will be closely administered”, said Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein.
Tint Tint Myanmar Group of Companies will start operating the water taxis free of charge today. Starting tomorrow, the price is set at Ks300 per person.
“We are happy to participate in a small way in the government’s reforms. Our company has experience in providing riverine service to foreigners along the Ayeyawady River. We want to provide good service to our people in the same way as we have provided good service to the foreigners”, said Tint Tint Myanmar Group of Companies Chairman Daw Tint Tint Lwin.
As a first step for Yangon Water Bus, the Yangon River route will be from Insein to Botahtaung with jetties in Insein, Shwe Padauk, Latha (Lanthit jetty), Pansodan (Nanthida) and Botahtaung.
Departure time from the jetties will be shown on LED boards in each jetty. The travel time from start to finish is about one-and-a-half hours. The route will be plied from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
CCTV and GPS Monitoring systems used in Hungary will be used to monitor the voyages, while insurance for the traveller is arranged with IKBZ Insurance, it is learnt.
Depending upon the number of travellers, voyages will be increased in Water Bus Phase 1. Phase 2 will be the addition of a route to Ngamoyeik Creek and Phase 3 will be another route to Thanlyin.
At a press conference held in May, Tint Tint Myanmar Group of Companies CEO Daw Tint Tint Lwin said the company had invested between US$20 to $37 million to run the Yangon water buses.
Four types of vessels with a capacities of 60, 80, 180 and 200 passengers will be used.
By Ko Moe
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