28 October 

A card payment system will be installed on YBS lines by the end of this year, said U Hla Aung, the joint secretary of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).

“We are endeavoring to install the card payment system on buses as a preliminary measure in October, November, and December. Once the machines arrive in the city, we will start a trial run. After discussions, the YRTA and Asia Starmar Transport Company will implement the test runs in the coming months this year,” said U Hla Aung.

More than 1,500 buses will get e-ticketing machines in the initial stage, he said.

The e-ticketing machines will be installed on 500 buses from the Yangon Urban Public Transport Company, 500 buses from the Yangon Bus Public Company, 300 buses from the Bandoola Company, and 80 buses from the Shwe Taung Tan Company.

“The concerned companies have been notified about the bus number for test runs. They are taking the necessary measures to install the system on buses. They are prepping to install the machines upon their arrival,” said U Hla Aung.

During a Yangon Region government meeting (20/2018), held on 17 May, 2018, Asia Starmar Transport Intelligent Co. Ltd was selected as the tender winner for implementing the YBS payment service project.

“The company is currently finalizing payment techniques, and it is working on necessary measures to launch the system. We will provide an update on the status of the project soon,” said U Hla Aung.

To improve transport facilities in Yangon, the Yangon Bus Service system (YBS) was launched on 16 January, 2017, during the incumbent government’s term. At present, over 100 bus lines are operating 4,600 buses on about 133 routes, along with the Airport Shuttle. The number of daily commuters has been estimated at 1.8 million. 

By Nyein Nyein (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)