Citizen helps out stranded YBS commuters with makeshift ‘bus’

While yesterday was theoretically a huge day for Yangon as its public bus system underwent a major renovation, the reality didn’t exactly line up with everyone’s expectations. Lots of morning commuters found themselves stranded due to a huge chunk of buses from the Yangon Bus Service (YBS) failing to show up, which then resulted in overcrowding, tardiness, and exorbitant taxi prices. Several citizens also had trouble trying to figure out how to get to and from work with the new bus routes.

In light of the morning chaos, one kindhearted individual felt he needed to step up and help out his fellow citizens.

Yesterday afternoon, user Ko Thantun put up a post with pictures of his own makeshift ‘bus’, complete with a large vinyl sign detailing the bus’s route.

He explains, “When I looked [at the roads] in the morning, the number of commuters and buses available didn’t match up, which made going to and from work difficult [for them]. I wanted to help out so I took a car from my work compound and quickly printed out a vinyl sign.”

The vehicle — which has two benches on the sides and a few small plastic stools along the middle — doesn’t look like much, but it will help out a handful of commuters who would’ve otherwise been stuck in the YBS turmoil.

“Starting from the end of the work day today, I’ll be lending a hand to commuters who are going to work in the morning and again in the evening when they’re leaving work.”

The car will run a route between the Thingyangyun San Pya Market and 30th Street near Sule. Ko Thantun writes that he’ll be providing this service free of charge and until the YBS works out its teething problems.

Unsurprisingly, the post has already garnered thousands of likes, comments, and shares, with users praising him for helping out others in a situation where he wasn’t obliged to do so at all.

As exciting as urban development is, Ko Thantun’s actions are a wonderful reassurance that no matter how much the city changes, the kindness of its citizens will always remain.

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