By Nyein Nyein
YANGON Region Transport Authority (YRTA) has extended the exemption period for paying in management charges by YBS buses until the end of September, according to YRTA.
Previously, YRTA set the exemption period deadline for paying in management charges of K 4,000 by 27 March and it has now been extended to 30 April. Then, the extension of the due date will be moved up to 30 September for the six times with an aim to assist the YBS companies and the bus lines, according to YRTA.
“By doing so, YRTA is supporting YBS companies in one way or another,” said U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw, the Managing Director of YRTA.
Although some 4,500 buses are running daily on Yangon roads previously, only over 4,000 buses from 128 bus lines are operating with over 1 million commuters recently because there is a decreasing number of passengers because of the pandemic, according to YRTA.
YBS companies must report to the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) on their daily process involving applying for waivers and recording the routes as usual. Moreover, YRTA is making an effort to solve the problems facing the YBS buses under the supervision of the Yangon Regional Government if they find it hard to overcome the problems, he noted.
Currently, YRTA is cooperating with the YBS companies to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading wide according to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports. YBS companies are operating their buses daily as usual, mainly for the convenience of the passengers.
In response to COVID-19, YBS companies and the public are cooperating in such activities as promotion of health awareness campaign by putting stickers, distributing pamphlets and keeping hand sanitizers on board the buses, installing basins and placing soaps and ensuring systematic disposal of garbage near the bus stations and railway stations.
At present, over 100 bus lines are operating buses along 135 routes in Yangon Region along with the Airport Shuttle and city transit.
(Translated by Hay Mar)
