THE Myanma Railways under the Ministry of Transport and Communications is making preparations to implement an Online Railways Ticketing and Payment System (ORTP) so that railway passengers can purchase train tickets more easily and conveniently online.

As a pilot project, tickets will be sold starting from 1 Feb­ruary for the train services operating on the Yangon-Man­dalay railway route on 7 Feb­ruary, such as 11 Up/12 Down (Yangon-Mandalay-Yangon) express train, 7 Up/8 Down (Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon) DEMU train, 31 Up/32 Down (Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon) DEMU train and No 27 Up/28 Down (Mandalay-Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay) express train.

Under the ORTP system, when purchasing tickets for express trains on the Yangon– Mandalay railway route, pas­sengers travelling the entire route may buy tickets up to seven days in advance, while those boarding from interme­diate stations may buy tickets up to three days in advance. Train departure and arrival times, stopping stations, and ticket fares will remain un­changed.

To use the system, users can open any preferred web browser and enter the link ortp.railways.gov.mm to ac­cess the system easily. More­over, access is also available by scanning the QR code provid­ed using a mobile phone. Step-by-step user guidelines for the system, along with the access link and QR code, have been announced through Myanmar Radio and Television, state-owned newspapers, the My­anma Railways website, and at railway stations nationwide.

If passengers experience any difficulties purchasing tickets online, arrangements have also been made for them to visit relevant railway sta­tions or ticket counters, where tickets can be purchased using the same system. For further information regarding ticket purchases through the ORTP system, passengers can con­tact the Myanma Railways hotline at 1188. — MNA/KTZH