AFTER the Dala Bridge was opened, the number of sampan passengers has declined about two-thirds, according to residents and sampan drivers.
In the past, sampans were the main mode of transport between Yangon and Dala, but now people can easily travel by YBS buses since the bridge opened, leading to a decline in sampan passengers. At present, sampans have passengers only in the morning and evening commutes, said a boat driver.
“The number of sampan passengers has been relatively low after the bridge was opened. In the past, we had to drive about 40 trips a day, but now we have just 10-12 journeys a day. Before the bridge was opened, sampans had to drive on a rotational basis from morning to evening. Now we have passengers only during the morning and evening commutes and hardly any at noon,” he said.
“The number of passengers has fallen about two-thirds. We have still passengers just because YBS bus stops do not exist everywhere in Dala and some stops are distant,” he added.
If YBS routes become expanded in Dala, the number of sampan passengers may decrease further, said a sampan driver. Currently, sampan fare is K500 per person and K5,000 for a chartered journey.
“The YBS and sampan fares don’t differ much but some people prefer the road to the water. People who live within the short distance of YBS stops choose YBS only,” said a resident. — MT/ZS
