Preliminary agreements that were signed in July between The Ministry of Transportation and West Corporation have allowed work to start to provide a new electric tram service in Yangon.
Phase One, due for opening in October will run on Strand Road from Pansodan, Pabedan Township, to Htor Li Kway in Ahlone Township.
Phase Two, due December will be from Pansodan to Botahtaung Township.
The project has a budget of $6m. West Corporation will provide the tram carriages. Work will also commence on the new electricity grid.
The new development will certainly now also focus on the known issues of continuity of electricity supplies that has been recognised by the Ministry of Transportation.
The route for the tram was chosen to avoid flyovers and bridges and will replace the existing train service on Strand Road. This is not the first time trams have been seen in Yangon, the first being installed in 1905.
