21 Sep
Yangon Pansodan-Dala ferry service has reduced the crossing schedule to 30 times in the working days of government offices from 12 September and 24 times during the weekends and public holidays from 19 September, owing to the declining number of ferry commuters with the coronavirus cases mounting in Yangon Region, according to the Inland Water Transport (Delta Division).
Following the COVID-19 resurgence in the region, the drop in ferry commuters made the ferry run less frequently.
Under the reduced schedule, Dala ferry will run between 5 am and 9 pm in the weekdays, and it will ply the routes between 5:30 am and 8 pm every weekend.
At present, there are about 6,000 commuters in the weekdays amid the coronavirus concerns. During weekends, the number of commuters is sharply dropping.
The relevant health departments and philanthropic organizations are raising awareness for COVID-19 and giving out masks at the port. The Ministry of Health and Sports has warned the public to follow the COVID-19 guidelines.
Usually, the ferry service runs 46 times a day. Yangon Pansodan-Dala ferries were earlier packed with nearly 30,000 daily commuters.
The Pansodan-Dala ferry is an only transport option for the local people in southern Yangon — Dala, Twantay, Kawhmu, Kungyangon townships to link with commercial hub Yangon. Three ferry boats named Cherry1, 2 and 3 donated by Japan are running 46 times a day for approximately 30,000 commuters. It is one of the crowded places in the city, generating revenues.
Naing Lin Kyaw (Dala) (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
