Rangoon’s First Electric Tram to Launch in October

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Rangoon’s First Electric Tram to Launch in October

By KYAW HSU MON / THE IRRAWADDY

RANGOON — Burma’s Ministry of Rail Transportation has partnered with Japan’s West Corporation to launch an electric commuter tramcar line in downtown Rangoon in efforts to tackle traffic congestion in the country’s commercial capital.

Phase one of the project will run along an existing route on Strand Road from Pansodan in Pabedan Township to Htawlikwe in Ahlone Township, and is expected to be operational by early October of this year.

The second phase will run from Pansodan to lin Sadaung in Botahtaung Township, and should launch in December, the ministry said.

West Corporation is a global trading company supplying railroad cars and hardware from Japan.

The ministry’s Director Thaung Lwin said the initial rollout was planned for Strand Road as a pilot project due to its long reach and lack of flyovers. If successful, more tram cars could be installed in other parts of the city.

Read more: http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/rangoons-first-electric-tram-to-launch-in-october.html

[Americano555]

Yangon is a mess.....

[lynnnayko]

Actually it is not going to be "first". They were there under while under British government.

http://www.academia.edu/4476673/Rangoon_Tramways

http://www.tramz.com/tva/mm.html

But given current electricity problem, not sure they can be the electric ones.

[Benmart]

Yangon is a mess.....

Yangon traffic is horrendous, in certain parts and a certain times. I am happy to hear they are addressing it with more than one-line exclamations.