Yangon Water Bus resumes operations
13 December 2020 - Source: Myanmar Times
Yangon's water buses were permitted to resume services on several routes starting December 7 after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The route from Sar Par Chaung jetty to Lan Thit jetty has resumed operations from 6 am to 7 pm daily, serving over 1000 people. Free face masks will be available for passengers.
The water bus schedules will be gradually expanded, based on the current and tide of the Yangon River, said Daw Tint Tint Lwin, chair of the Yangon Water Bus Co Group, which operates the Yangon water bus service. She added that the company is planning to extend its water bus services to Pansodan, Ant Gyi and Thamada jetties.
The company is also negotiating with the Yangon regional government to build more jetties along Yangon River, Ngamoeyeik Creek and Thanlyin River that will expand the city's water-based transportation service, she added.
The Yangon Water Bus Co first started operating water buses in October 2017. Operations were temporarily suspended for 1.5 years to upgrade infrastructures such as jetties and boats.
The water bus services are expected to be profitable upon reopening due to lower fuel costs and better efficiencies on the newer boats, said Daw Tint Tint Lwin. - Translated
