COMMUTERS in Mandalay gained a new public transportation option with the inauguration on June 2 of Shwe Mann May bus line under Bandoola Transportation.

The bus line runs daily from 6am to 8pm on two routes – red and green – using 15 Japan-made 44-seat buses.

Both routes start from Myitnge Bridge 7 miles south of Mandalay and end at Thiri Mandalar highway bus terminal. The green route travels through the eastern side of Mandalay, while the red route serves the western side of the city.

The fare for each route is K300, divided into three sections of K100 each.
A spokesperson for Bandoola Transportation said the new buses were the first of their kind in Mandalay, as the city’s 42 previously existing public transportation lines have been served by Toyota Dyna light trucks and old wooden-frame Chevrolet trucks.

“The new bus line is aimed at allowing people to travel around Mandalay comfortably and easily,” the spokesperson said.

“Making a profit is not our only aim. We want people in Mandalay, especially government employees and poor people, to be able to travel in comfort. We also want to upgrade the city’s public transportation facilities,” he said.
The spokesperson added that although the new buses were not air-conditioned, they had fans to help keep the passengers cool.

A commuter in Mandalay said that most people in the city travel around by bicycle and motorcycle, so the new bus line might not be immediately popular.

“On the other hand, taxis can be hard to find, so the new bus line will be helpful and could eventually catch on with passengers,” he said.