Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) has again extended the exemption of the YBS companies from contribution to the daily management funds until the end of November, according to YRTA.

Earlier, YRTA exempted the YBS buses operating for the commuters to be able to travel within Yangon region from contributing K4,000 per bus daily to the YRTA management funds from 27 March to 30 April. Then, YRTA has extended the exemption period again for the eighth time until the end of November to help the YBS transport companies and the bus lines, according to YRTA.

This move of YRTA is to support YBS companies during the coronavirus crisis, said YRTA Managing Director U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw.

Previously, about 4,500 buses ran daily on Yangon roads. Following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of YBS buses has decreased. Now, a total of 104 YBS bus lines are still in operation with 2,500 buses, and the number of passengers is over 350,000, according to YRTA.

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. Besides, YRTA is making efforts to solve the problems facing the YBS buses under the supervision of the Yangon region government if the bus lines find it hard to overcome the difficulties.

At present, YRTA is cooperating with YBS companies to prevent the COVID from spreading in line with the guidelines and instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Previously, more than 100 bus lines were running 4,500 buses daily, along with the airport shuttle and city transit. The number of passengers before the outbreak of COVID-19 was 1.8 million per day.

(Translated by Hay Mar)