Water bus to be scrutinised before operation

 May 22, 2017

Vehicles imported for Yangon Water Bus service will be allowed to run only if they pass strict examination standards, said Daw Nilar Kyaw, Yangon Region Minster for Electrical Power, Industry and Transportation.

This statement was in response to questions by Daw Sandar Min of Seikkyi Khanaungto Constituency (1) at the Yangon Region Hluttaw meeting on 22 May asking, “When was the tender for the water bus service called and how many companies bid for it? What are the characteristics for the selected companies, and what steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the passengers? What will the profit for the region government be in one year from these water vehicles?” “The safety of the passengers is our topmost priority, and regarding that fact we will only allow vehicles that pass our examinations to be used whether they are manufactured by the selected companies or imported. The selected companies are currently presenting their preferences for the vehicles but after their arrival we will commence inspection of the vehicles and deny their use if they do not pass our examinations,” said Minster Daw Nilar Kyaw. For the safety and convenience of passengers, a ground inspection of Hlaing River and Nga Moe Yeik Creek was conducted by officials from YRTA, Myanma Port Authorities, the Department for Water resource and River Development, Inland Water Transport, and the Department for Water Channel Administration. Tint Tint Myanmar Group of Companies won the tender for the Yangon Water Bus system and the company has announced it will begin its services on the third week of June. In a press conference on the water bus service on 5 May at the San Chaung office of Tint Tint Myanmar Group of Companies, CEO Daw Tint Tint Lwin explained that eight jetties have been designated as terminals for the water bus starting from Aungzaya Rope Birdge in Insein to Botahtaung Township. She added that the vehicles that will be used in the water bus service are constructed in Australia, Thailand and Myanmar with an investment ranging from Ks20 to Ks37 billion. Due to varying types of channels in the waterway, vehicles of four different sizes will be used ranging from 60 to 80 to 180 to 200 passenger capacity. The fees for the service have been designated as Ks300 for short trips and Ks500 for round trips. The schedule for the water buses will be displayed in LED signs and the time between each bus will be 20 minutes. The entire trip will take one and a half hour and the terminals will be open from 6am to 6pm. Insurance for passengers are linked with IKBZ.

Additionally, jetties are under construction on the route from Yangon River to Ngamoeyeik Creek for another water bus route. The Ngamoeyeik Creek has a lot of bridges and low water levels, and these are taken into consideration when building new water buses.

Formerly, FMI Co. had tried running the water bus service but stopped operations after shortage of passengers.

Ko Moe

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar