Passenger buses operating from Mon State to other regions and states are unable to run daily due to difficulties in purchasing petrol, according to drivers and travelers.
The military junta’s state authorities have set a limit of 100,000 kyats worth of petrol per vehicle for passenger and cargo transport. However, drivers said petrol stations are selling only about 30,000 kyats per vehicle.
A driver on the Mawlamyine–Payathonzu route said the limited supply and once-daily purchase restriction make regular operations difficult.
“Most drivers can no longer operate daily. Petrol is not easy to buy, and even running with a small number of passengers is not viable anymore. Drivers want to operate every day, but petrol is not available,” he said.
Currently, only a small number of buses that have stored petrol in advance continue to operate, while most are unable to run daily.
Drivers also said they are concerned that inspections under the junta’s odd-even system may become stricter after the university entrance exam period, further limiting operations.
A driver on the Mudon Township–Yangon route said, “With the odd-even system, buses cannot operate every day. We have to queue one day and run the next. Each vehicle is allowed only 30,000 kyats worth of petrol. After the exams, authorities may carry out checks at petrol stations. There is no QR code system here yet, but it is used in Yangon.”
Reduced services and rising costs have also led to higher fares. Travelers said ticket prices on the Mawlamyine–Payathonzu route have increased from about 800 baht to nearly 1,000 baht.
Although the junta has said petrol supplies are sufficient, continued restrictions on sales have made it increasingly difficult for drivers to obtain petrol.
In addition, some petrol business operators from Mawlamyine are reportedly under investigation at local police stations for allegedly transporting petrol illegally to Kyainseikgyi Township.
