8 December

A card payment system will be installed on Yangon Bus Service buses this month, said U Hla Aung, the joint secretary of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).

“Under the supervision of the Yangon region government, about 1500 card payment systems have been made ready to be installed on buses. Five days ago, coordinations were held between the bus companies and Asia Starmer. We are to enter into contracts within a week, if it is possible. Then, we will implement the project,” said U Hla Aung.

More than 1,500 buses will receive e-ticketing machines in the initial stage, he added.

Payment card (YPS) machines will be installed on 500 buses from the Yangon Urban Public Transport Company, on 500 buses of the Yangon Bus Public Company, on 300 buses from Bandoola Company and on over 80 buses from Shwe Taungbaing Company.

Currently, Asia Starmer Transport Intelligent Company, selected as the tender winner, has checked nearly all buses, prior to installing the machines.

“After installing the machines, the towers have to be set up for communication. Then, the wires have to be installed. The tender winner will take all the responsibility. So, they are taking all necessary measures for Yangon Bus Service buses to have the systems installed. Now, we heard from the company that those machines have already arrived in Yangon,” said U Hla Aung.

To improve the transport facilities in Yangon, the Yangon Bus Service was launched on 16 January, 2017, during the incumbent government’s term. At present, over 100 bus lines are operating 4,600 buses on about 133 routes, along with the Airport Shuttle. The number of daily commuters has been estimated at 1.8 million. 

BY Nyein Nyein
(Translated by Hay Mar)