During the first 100 days of the new government, Myanma Railways successfully upgraded railway infrastructure. In line with the President’s guidance to improve services, the Yangon-Pyay-Yangon route has now been upgraded to provide passengers with a safer and more comfortable journey, said Union Minister for Tansport and for Digital Development and Communications U Mya Tun Oo. He added that modern air-conditioned DEMU trains resumed services on the Yangon-Mandalay route on 1 May and the Yangon-Mawlamyine route on 1 July. In addition, diesel-electric train services between Myitkyina and Mohnyin on the Mandalay-Myitkyina line operated on 21 July.
Union Minister U Mya Tun Oo said at the launching ceremony for the operation of Up Train No 73 and Down Train No 74 with DEMU train sets on the Yangon-Pyay railway section, as part of the government’s 100-Day Plan, held at Platform 1 of the Yangon Railway Station yesterday morning.
He said that it was a significant and memorable day as the Yangon-Pyay railway section was the first railway line in Myanmar where train services were introduced on 1 May 1877. He added that Myanmar Railways is a strategically important public transportation service, and the government is working to expand public transport systems and provide affordable transportation services for the people.
He said that the President has given strong guidance to continuously upgrade and improve railways, roads, bridges and other infrastructure facilities to ensure smoother and more convenient passenger and freight transport services.
The ceremony was attended by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Aung Naing Thu, the Yangon Command Commander, regional ministers, Deputy Minister for Transport U Aung Myaing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, officials, guests and town elders.
The ceremony officially began at 4:40 am, followed by the screening of a documentary video highlighting the history and development of Myanma Railways throughout different periods.
Moreover, the opening ceremony for the modern DEMU train set of Up Train No 73 on the Yangon-Pyay route was held with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a traditional blessing ceremony by sprinkling scented water on the locomotive, and the presentation of commemorative gifts to passengers. At 5:30 am, the Union Minister pressed the button to officially allow the DEMU train No 73 to leave Yangon Railway Station for Pyay.
Deputy Minister U Aung Myaing and party travelled with passengers to Pyay. Along the route, the residents warmly welcomed and greeted the train at the stations where it stopped.
The deputy minister and party arrived at Pyay Railway Station at 11:30 am. A ceremony to launch the Down Train No 74 air-conditioned DEMU service from Pyay to Yangon was held at Platform 1 of the Pyay Railway Station. Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win and the Deputy Minister for Transport delivered opening remarks, greeted passengers travelling to Yangon and presented commemorative gifts.
The newly launched Yangon-Pyay-Yangon DEMU trains will depart from Yangon Railway Station daily at 5:30 am and arrive at Pyay Railway Station at 11:30 am. The return train will leave Pyay Railway Station at 1 pm and arrive back at Yangon Railway Station at 7 pm. The total travel time is about six hours, and the Yangon-Pyay-Yangon route will operate as a round-trip service
MNA/KTZH
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