March 28, 2020
By Nyein Nyein
YBS companies are exempted to contribute the management fund to YRTA for more than one month starting from 27 March to 30 April, said YRTA Managing Director U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw.
YBS buses that are operating for the convenience of the commuters to travel in the Yangon region are allowed not to pay K4,000 per bus per day for the YRTA management fund for more than one month. A total of 4,500 YBS buses are operating daily in the Yangon region.
“By doing so, YRTA can support YBS buses in one way or another,” he added.
YBS companies must report to the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) on their daily process such as applying for waivers and recording the routes as usual. Moreover, YRTA is making efforts to solve the problems facing by YBS buses under the supervision of the Yangon Region Government if it’s hard for them to overcome them, he noted.
Currently, YRTA is cooperating with YBS companies to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic according to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports. YBS companies are operating their buses daily as usual mainly for the convenience of the passengers.
In response to the Covid-19, YBS companies and the public are cooperating in such activities as promotion of health awareness campaign by putting stickers, distributing pamphlets, and keeping hand sanitizers on the buses, installing basins and placing soaps, and ensuring systematic disposal of garbage near the bus stations and railway stations.
Although some government departments and business places, which are usually busy with the people, have already been temporarily suspended to avert the Covid-19 threat, public transportation like YBS buses are operating regularly, said Managing Director Ko Tayoutlay of Power Eleven Company.
“We hear some people complaining of the suspension of crowded places because of Covid-19. How about people who can easily be infected with this virus from the congested YBS buses or crowded places? Our commuters have nothing but to rely upon public transportation like YBS buses. So, our YBS companies are getting their buses cleansed daily, rubbing the armrests and straps and the iron bars with the bacteria killers. For our Power Eleven company, we are cleaning inside the car by using the bactakleen liquid to ensure the travellers’ safety. We are trying our best to prevent the Covid-19 spread, said Ko Tayoutlay.
At present, more than 100 bus lines are running 4,500 buses on 135 routes, along with the airport shuttle and city transit. The number of daily commuters is estimated at 1.8 million. (Translated by Hay Mar)
