Scenic PyinOoLwin-Gokteik train sees passenger boost

THE volume of passengers on the PyinOoLwin-Gokteik-Py­inOoLwin scenic sightseeing train service on the Manda­lay-Lashio railway has contin­ued to rise.

Myanma Railways, under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, has been operating the Gokteik 1 – Py­inOoLwin-Gokteik and Gokteik 2 – Gokteik-PyinOoLwin sight­seeing train services to allow domestic travellers and foreign tourists to explore the historic Gokteik Viaduct and enjoy the natural scenery of forests, moun­tains and rivers along the route. The services have been operat­ing every Saturday and Sunday since 19 December.

To date, the trains have com­pleted 18 scheduled trips, carry­ing 540 passengers. In addition, six charter package trips using RBE upper-class coaches, each with a capacity of 24 passengers, and two charter trips using RBE ordinary-class coaches, each with a capacity of 40 passengers, carried a total of 224 passengers. On 12 January, Myanma Rail­ways also operated a full charter train for 210 students and teach­ers from the Snow Queen Private Upper School in PyinOoLwin, us­ing three ordinary-class coaches and one upper-class coach. Since the start of operations, 974 pas­sengers have travelled on the scenic train service.

Each RBE sightseeing train on the PyinOoLwin-Gokteik-Py­inOoLwin route can carry up to 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 at 4 pm. The train stops en route at Pwekauk, Wetwun, Samsel and Nawnghkio stations.

The PyinOoLwin-Gokteik round-trip service operates reg­ularly on weekends and public holidays. Tour companies, travel agencies, private schools and other organizations wishing to charter the train on special dates may hire a full RBE set with an upper-class coach for 24 passengers for a round trip at K30,000 per passenger, totalling K720,000.

For groups of 150 passen­gers or more, Myanma Railways will operate a full-size train consisting of one upper-class coach and three ordinary-class coaches. Charter requests must be made at least three days in advance. Fares are K15,000 per passenger for ordinary class and K30,000 per passenger for upper class. Bookings can be made through the Station Mas­ter (Special Class), PyinOoLwin, by dialling 09 448538830, accord­ing to sources. — Myanma Rail­ways (MR)/KZL