YRTC to launch distance-based YPS card system

The Yangon Region Transport Committee (YRTC) makes arrangements to develop a distance-based YPS (Yangon Payment Service) card system on YBS buses, according to the committee.
“Currently, we don’t have any plan to increase the YBS bus fares and we do not permit it officially. Some buses adopted a distance-based payment system in the past. Currently, we arrange to launch the payment-on-distance system using a YPS card. It does not mean to increase the bus fares. We took actions against the buses that collected K500 or K1,000 previously such as we revoke their permit for CNG for three months, six months and one year and suspended their work permit for one year. The YBS bus lines collected up to K400 according to distance since before,” said Joint Secretary of U Lyan Cin Mang from YRTC.
The YRTC took action starting November 2021 and 524 YBS buses were charged to date. The YRTC cooperated with Asia Starmar Transport Intelligent Company Limited to resume the YPS card system on 194 buses operated by five YBS bus line companies.
“There were fixed prices of YBS bus fares K100, K200 and K300. For example, we have to pay K200 even if we take the bus just for one another bus stop or the whole trip when we take YBS that fixed price at K200. Therefore, it did not make profits to the passengers who take a bus just for one or two bus stops. The distance-based payment system is suitable for short-trip passengers but not for the ones who ride the bus for the whole trip as it makes double charges. If the officials arrange the card system, we want them to operate adequate buses,” said a daily commuter from Hmawby to Ahlon township.
The YRTC fixes the YPS card price at K2,000 and buyers do not need to pay for the cards if they use K3,000 top-up.
About 2,900 buses of 118 YBS bus lines carry nearly 600,000 passengers daily, according to the YRTC. — Naing Lin Aung (Tamway)/GNLM