All drivers employed with YBS bus lines will have smart cards this month, said U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw, the managing director of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).
“Of the 4,675 YBS drivers who applied to the YRTA for smart cards, 4,547 have been issued smart cards, and the cards remain to be issued to only over 100 drivers. We will make sure the smart cards are handed to all those drivers in early October,” he added.
“Following the issuance of smart cards, drivers will be strictly checked by the YRTA’s inspection team on whether they are holding the cards or not. We have asked the team to check them this month,” said U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw.
According to the YRTA, passengers will be able to send their complaints to the inspection team through Viber contact numbers — 09 448147149, 09448147153-4. The YRTA will have the personal information of every single driver, so, it will be simpler for the authority to deal with complaints or take action against undisciplined drivers, said the YRTA managing director.
The transport authority will have a centralized database detailing the job history and work experience of YBS drivers. This will make it easy to trace drivers quickly, according to the YRTA.
As per data compiled by the transport authority between 1 January and 30 September this year, it is currently dealing with driver indiscipline involving 76 cases of drivers changing routes, 6,316 cases of fine receipts, and 2,108 complaints against drivers.
At present, over 100 bus lines are operating 4,500 buses on about 130 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)
Photo: Nyi Zaw Moe
