Myanma Railways (MR) is planning to run Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon and Yangon-Mandalay special trains for holidaymakers and people looking to return home in the Thadingyut holiday period.
The downwind train from Nay Pyi Taw will leave at 9:30 pm on October 22 and arrive in Yangon at 7 am on October 23. The upwards bound train from Yangon will leave at 6 pm on October 23 and arrive in Mandalay at 8:45 am on October 24. The downward train from Mandalay will leave at 6:15 pm on October 24 and arrive in Yangon at 9 am on October 25. The upbound train from Yangon will leave at 9:30 pm on October 25 and arrive in Nay Pyi Taw at 7 am on October 26.
The train tickets are available from 7 am on October 21 at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw train stations. The ticket prices are not increased.
The special trains will stop at Yangon, Toekyaungkalay, Bago, Taungoo, Pyinmana, Nay Pyi Taw, Tharzi and Mandalay.
The MR runs specially scheduled trains for travellers and public service personnel based on demand in Thingyan and public holiday periods.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will spend over US$2 billion to upgrade Yangon-Mandalay railroad with five-year plan from 2018 to 2023. The railroad has 385.5 miles in length and six express trains, two mail trains and four upwind and downwind trains are running on it.
The MR said they started ground checking works to implement comprehensive development project of Yangon train station.
The eight-year project is expected to cost US$2.5 billion and create about 100,000 job opportunities, according to Central Transport Development Consortium (CTDC) which has been granted to develop the project.
