The Yangon Region Public Transport Committee (YRTC) has canceled its planned fare hike for the Yangon Bus Service (YBS), reversing a decision that would have increased ticket prices starting September 1.
The cancellation was announced via YRTC’s official social media channels by Joint Secretary U Lyan Cin Mang.
The initial proposal called for raising standard bus fares from 200 MMK to 300 MMK and higher-tier fares from 400 MMK to 600 MMK. The adjustment was also set to apply to digital payments made via Yangon Payment Services (YPS) cards, with technical preparations underway to update the ticketing system.
The proposal to raise fares came after bus operating companies, including YUPT and YBPC Co., Ltd., reported mounting financial pressure caused by the soaring costs of auto parts and vehicle maintenance.
According to YRTC data, out of 5,399 registered buses across 21 operating companies, only about 3,300 vehicles are actively running daily. More than 2,000 buses are currently out of service, including 1,024 requiring minor repairs, 209 needing medium repairs, 510 undergoing major overhauls, and 356 grounded for other reasons.
Operators argued that a moderate fare increase would create a sustainable balance, allowing companies to afford necessary repairs and deploy more buses to ease heavy passenger overcrowding.
Currently, the active fleet of approximately 3,300 buses transports around 1.8 million commuters daily across Yangon. YRTC stated that it will continue supervising operating companies to expedite fleet repairs and put more buses back on the road to alleviate passenger congestion at bus stops.
