MR launches weekend sightseeing trains on PyinOoLwin-Gokteik route

THE Ministry of Transport and Communications, through My­anma Railways, has been oper­ating sightseeing train services along the PyinOoLwin-Gokteik route and the Gokteik-PyinOoL­win route since 19 December, on Saturdays and Sundays each week. These services allow both domestic and foreign tourists to explore the historic Gokteik Viaduct and enjoy the natural scenery of rivers, plains, and mountains along the route.

Since the service began, a total of 13 regular train trips have been operated, carrying 621 passengers. In addition, eight trips have been run using upper-class RBE accommodat­ing 24 passengers each under package arrangements, while six trips using ordinary-class RBE carrying 40 passengers each have transported 432 pas­sengers. Furthermore, special trips were arranged with large chartered trains for school groups: on 12 and 16 January, 540 students and teachers from Snow Queen Private High School from PyinOoLwin were transported; on 28 January, 300 students and teachers from Ma­ymyo Private High School; and on 29 January, 300 students and teachers from the Pyinnya Shwe Yaung Private High School in Anisakhan, PyinOoLwin Town­ship. Since the commencement of operations, a total of 2,193 passengers have participated in the sightseeing train services.

For the PyinOoLwin-Gok­teik and return route, each RBE can carry 40 passengers. The Gokteik 1 RBE departs Py­inOoLwin Station at 8 am and ar­rives at Gokteik Station at 11:30 am, while the Gokteik 2 RBE departs Gokteik Station at 12:30 pm and returns to PyinOoLwin Station by 4 pm. The train makes stop-over at Pwekauk, Watwun, Samse, and Nawnghkio stations along the route.

Additionally, a RGC sight­seeing train, which can accom­modate 20 passengers per trip and costs K5,000 per person, travels from Gokteik Station across the Gokteik Viaduct to designated viewing areas. Up to today, 400 passengers have used this service.

PyinOoLwin-Gokteik-Py­inOoLwin trips continue to op­erate on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Tourism companies, travel agencies, and private schools may also charter upper-class RBE for 24 passen­gers per train at K30,000 per person, amounting to a total of K720,000 for a full train.

For groups exceeding 150 passengers, the trains can be arranged with 30-seat up­per-class carriages, 60-seat ordinary-class carriages, and brake vans, serving not only the PyinOoLwin-Gokteik-PyinOoL­win route but also starting from Zeepingyi, Anisakhan, and Tho­netaung stations. Fares for such services are K15,000 per person for ordinary class and K30,000 per person for upper class. For trips starting from Anisakhan Station, fares are K20,000 per person for ordinary class and K35,000 per person for upper class.

Those wishing to book pack­age sightseeing trips using ei­ther RBE or large chartered trains are advised to make res­ervations at least three days in advance through the station superintendent (upper class) at PyinOoLwin, by contacting 09 448538830. — MNA/MKKS