By Nyein Nyein
The systematic registration of city taxis for greater regulation has helped law enforcement agencies investigate 2,900 traffic cases, according to U Hla Aung, the Joint Secretary of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).
“The cases include hit-and-runs and other crimes. We have helped the law enforcement agencies in those cases as we are regulating city taxis through registration,” said U Hla Aung. “Between 2014 and 20 August, 2019, we have helped in the investigation of 2,900 cases, including lost case and other crimes, by tracing city taxis through their registration,” he added.
City taxi registrations were started in 2002 to bring transport services on par with Yangon’s image as a commercial hub and for regulating the taxi service.
The YRTA was formed on 8 July 2016 to improve transport facilities in Yangon for the convenience of the public.
In a bid to ensure traffic discipline, the YRTA, through an announcement in state-owned newspapers, had asked city taxis to register or renew their registrations with the authority.
It extended the deadline to 30 September after it was found that more than 5,000 taxis remained to be registered or needed to get their registration renewed.
Those taxis which fail to register within the new deadline will have their licenses revoked according to rules and regulations, the YRTA stated.
There were 67,085 registered city taxis in Yangon Region as of end-July, according to data from the YRTA.
(Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
