19 Sep
Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) has urged the Yangon regional government to reduce CNG prices for further survival of YBS bus lines during COVID-19 pandemic period, said U Hla Aung, the joint secretary of YRTA. YBS transportation companies and the bus lines are running their buses, struggling hard for survival with the high daily operation costs and management costs before the pandemic period. With the outbreak of the pandemic, the income of YBS has dropped because the number of passengers has declined, he added.
“The number of passengers using YBS has significantly dropped. So, the income of the YBS has also declined. However, we could not stop our operation as well. We have the costs for YBS drivers and the office staff in addition to other overhead expenses. That’s why we have great difficulties. Therefore, YRTA has moved the exemption period deadline for paying in the management charges of K4,000 to 30 September. As a way to help our YBS bus lines, we have also requested the government to reduce CNG prices,” he confirmed.
“The costs of CNG for regular routes account for over K20,000 per day. If we can reduce the costs of CNG, it will be more supportive of our bus lines’ further survival,” he added. At present, 3.66 kilogrammes of CNG equal to one gallon of fuel oil is sold for K1,000, which is not a profit-making price for the government, said U Hla Win Htay, the general manager of the Natural Gas Vehicle Division (CNG), Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).
The extension of the due date will be moved up to 30 September for the six times to assist the YBS companies and the bus lines. By doing so, YRTA is supporting YBS companies in one way or another,” said U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw, the Managing Director of YRTA. The operation of YBS buses has dropped to 2,300 from 4,500, which are running on 126 routes because of the declining number of passengers. The number of daily commuters is estimated to be over 400,000.
By Nyein Nyein (Translated by Hay Mar)
