card payment system has been installed on more than 1,900 buses under YBS system and the negotiations are being undertaken with the related bus lines, according to Yangon Region Transport Committee (YRTC).
At present, 608 vehicles operated by YPBC, 304 by Bandoola, 700 by YUPT, 265 by Ludu and 27 by JYCT were equipped with the machine, said the joint secretary of YRTC.
Under the instruction of Yangon Region Transport Authority, Asia Starmar Transport Intelligent Co. Ltd was selected as the tender winner for implementing the YBS payment service project.
The company launched card system at the two years of YRTA on 16 January 2019. However, YRTA was abolished in May 2021 and YRTC is newly formed. At present, YRTC is planning to sign with Asia Starmar Company which entered into contract with the then Yangon Region government, he added.
YPS cards are available at G&G convenience stores at K2,000 and the consumers can deposit from a minimum of K3,000. Twenty-five more shops will be extended to sell YPS cards. Asia Starmar and YBS lines agreed to collect bus fare depending on the travel distance, YRTC stated.
The cashless payment system is more convenient and secure for passengers as they do not need to find small notes and it can prevent COVID-19 infections from the notes, the joint secretary said. Additionally, this move aimed to eliminate bus conductors in the bus lines to avoid unnecessary arguments between the conductors and passengers. Some conductors ask extra charges.
This being so the digital payment is practised in the lines to facilitate the daily commuters.
At present, 98 bus lines are operating 2,700 buses. The number of daily commuters has been estimated at over 500,000. —Ko Naing (Bago)/GNLM
Over 1,900 buses installed YBS card payment system
- January 17, 2022
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