YBS vehicles decrease by about 300 this year, passenger numbers increase

This year, despite a decrease of about 300 YBS vehicles, passenger numbers have increased, leading to a situation where there are not enough vehicles for passengers, according to the Yangon Region Public Transport Authority (YRTC). Last year, 2025, there were about 3,600 YBS vehicles operating, serving 1.5 million passengers. This year, 2026, passenger numbers have increased to 1.8 million, but only about 3,300 YBS vehicles are able to operate. To ensure passengers can travel comfortably, about 4,500 vehicles are needed to operate, said U Lian Kyaw Myint, Joint Secretary of YRTC. Among the currently operating YBS vehicles, some are over 20 years old based on their manufacturing date, and vehicles manufactured in 2017 have been operating for over 9 years, leading to a decline in vehicle durability and engine performance. Due to this decline in engine performance, as the number of vehicles requiring major repairs increases, difficulties arise in purchasing spare parts for repairs, parts such as tires, engine oil, and batteries are scarce and expensive, and some YBS vehicles that run on diesel fuel face diesel shortages and high prices, resulting in the decrease in the number of operating YBS vehicles. Therefore, to ensure sufficient passengers and vehicles, YRTC is urging and supervising the relevant YBS public companies to quickly repair vehicles undergoing minor repairs and resume operations, and is also planning to assess the possibility of continuing repairs for vehicles undergoing major repairs and newly registered vehicles, and to expedite repair work. In addition, YRTC is coordinating to ensure that YBS vehicles can conveniently fill up with CNG and gasoline in rotation at designated stations with a priority system.