7 Dec
THE highway passenger vehicle operators in Magway Region are facing difficulties as they are not covered by the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) by the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, said the owners.
There are over 100 passenger bus lines running inside and outside the region. Most of the bus lines purchased the new vehicles with the bank loan, in line with the government’s auto policy. They did not earn money during the COVID-19 essential lockdowns which are economically devastating.
“The owners of over 20 bus lines in Magway Region applied for the CERP. However, they have not been approved by the committee yet. The owners of passenger buses are struggling a lot as they cannot afford to pay off the monthly payment. They are risked of being sued by the banks,” said U Myint Soe, owner of Pandaing passenger gate.
Those stakeholders including drivers, assistants, staff and their families are hard-living, said U Aung Soe Oo from Shwe Mann Thu Express.
The express buses were halted due to the COVID-19 impacts. Now, they are allowed to restart in the town. The drivers are mandatory to take a rapid diagnostic test at the toll gates. About 70 drivers and assistants are tested at terminal every day, Magway Region Supervisory Committee for Private-owned Motor Vehicles stated.
Zayyatu (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
