Yangon Water Bus to use Singapore, Thai ferries when service resumes

20 Feb 20 - Source: Myanmar Times - The Yangon Water Bus river transport service has ordered passenger ferries from Singapore and Thailand to replace its old vessels once it resumes operation, the company that runs the line said.

Daw Tint Tint Lwin, chair of Tint Tint Myanmar Co., said it has also sought the help of a Singapore company in linking its fare payment system to local mobile banking services KBZ Pay and CB Pay.

"We are cooperating with a Singapore company for technical support," she said. "We are devising a profit-sharing scheme, but we will take care of the investment."

The service, which operates on the Yangon River, has been criticised for delays and slow vessels.

It started running in 2017 but suspended operations in September last year to test new vessels. It does not know when it will resume service.

Daw Tint Tint Lwin said there have been delays in the installation of payment machines on the vessels.

"They need one more month," she said. "Also, we are building jetties. We will be running soon with seven ferries imported from Thailand and Singapore," she added.

Two ferries will service the Insein-Botahtaung route, while five ferries will service Nga Moe Yeik street, she said.

The regional government implemented the river service to reduce traffic congestion and cut the waiting time for buses, but some commuters did not find it convenient due to its jetty terminals being too far from bus stops.

The estimated cost of the project is US$20 million to $37 million, funded with a loan from KBZ Bank.