THE government has granted permission to Shwe Than Lwin Company to start the first privately owned bus line in Yangon in early November, said an official from the company.

The new line, to be called Shwe Ae The, will initially run with 100 buses along one set route, said the company’s managing director, U Zaw Win Htun.

“We have plans to expand to more routes and more buses in the future,” he said.

All buses will run on compressed natural gas (CNG). The fare will be K100 for those who ride a distance of 25 bus stops and below and K150 for those riding more than 25 stops.

“Our buses will not carry too many passengers like other bus lines, they will run only when the seats are occupied and they will be air conditioned,” he said.
The Yangon Division Traffic Police Force has set the location of a total of about 100 bus stops along the route in both directions.

The buses will run between Dagon Ayeyar Highway Bus Terminal and Botahtaung township. On the way, 11 bus stops will be set up in Hlaing Tharyar township, eight in Bahan, six each in Hlaing and Kamaryut, three each in Insein, Sanchaung and Tarmwe, four each in Mayangone and Pazundaung, and two in Mingalar Taung Nyunt.

A total of about 6000 buses are currently running under the supervision of the Yangon Division Buses Control Committee as well as the Bandoola Transportation and Yangon Division East, West, North and South district bus lines.