22 March

The first passenger train with South Korean-made passenger coaches aided with air-conditioners and air suspension left Mandalay for Myitkyina at Mandalay Railway Station yesterday afternoon. Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung and officials cordially greeted and presented gifts to the passengers of the Mandalay-Myitkyina 31 Up train that departed the statin at 1 pm.

The train has 10 33-seater upper class coaches, one 44-seater ordinary class coach and a restaurant car. Per ticket prices are Ks 20,000 for upper class and Ks 10,000 for ordinary class. The cozy coaches were imported from South Korea with the loan disbursed by the country.

According to the schedule, the 31 Up train leaves Mandalay at 1 pm and arrives in Myitkyina at 7 am the next day. The 32 Down train leaves Myitkyina at 1:30 pm, and arrives in Mandalay at 7:45 am the next day. Both the up and the down trains stop at Shwebo, Kanbalu, Kawlin, Nabar, Monyin, Hopin and Moekay stations.—MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin)