It is reported that some YBS LINE 41 that runs from Hmawbi (collective office) (YBS – Yangon Bus Service) to Thakin Mya Park have stopped since November 29 due to incomplete information required by the YRTC (Yangon Region Public Transport Committee), such as the driving licenses and ID cards.
The YBS Line 41 route is a bus line under the Power Eleven Company. It has been learned that only around 20 vehicles on the route are allowed to run because YRTC ID cards are not issued to some drivers who do not have complete information, and they are not allowed to run.
A driver from YBS Line 41 said, “The drivers who have not yet received YRTC ID cards are not allowed to drive because the company has not opened the gate to drive yet, so they will not be able to drive them tomorrow. There are only around 20 drivers here who have ID cards (from YRTC). It is not fair between the passengers and the drivers, so all the drivers, both those who have and those who do not have YRTC ID cards, adjusted and stopped running from starting today,” said a driver from the YBS Line 41.
It is reported that the drivers who are not allowed to drive on YBS Line 41 negotiate with the company to submit their request to the YRTC for a recommendation letter and permission to drive before receiving their ID cards.
“The drivers who were not allowed to drive today are those who have not registered yet. Some do not have complete information. Some have done so. But there are people who have been blacklisted. The reason we did not let them drive today is – because their information was not complete. Another thing is that there are drivers who will not drive if we do not let their friend drivers drive,” said an official from the company.
Currently, some YBS bus drivers are breaking the rules, such as driving through red lights, treating passengers unfairly, and charging more than the set fares, so the company side does not allow the permit for drivers without smart cards in order to strictly monitor the drivers.
“Drivers are strictly verified. If the verification does not go well, the company will not let them drive. Another thing is that if the drivers with smart cards act in a way that does not only drive but also stimulates others, they will be kicked out forever,” said an official from the company.
The YBS Line 41 is running only a few vehicles today, so there are delays for passengers.
“I was waiting for the bus at 6 o’clock in the morning. The bus didn’t come for more than half an hour, so I had to take leave from work and come home. I couldn’t take another bus because I had to ride from Hmawbi to Gyogone,” said a passenger who commutes with Line 41.
The YRTC only issues an ID card to drivers who have completed the required information and are not blacklisted, while the Power Eleven company only allows vehicles that have a YRTC ID card and a driving license card.
