Transport in Myanmar: Difference between revisions
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{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}} | {{EngvarB|date=November 2015}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} | ||
[[File:Thanlwin Bridge 2.jpg|thumb|Thanlwin Bridge in [[Hpa An]].]] | [[File:Thanlwin Bridge 2.jpg|thumb|[[Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine)|Thanlwin Bridge]] in [[Hpa An]].]] | ||
Transport in Myanmar is characterized by a strong reliance on road transport for both passenger and freight movement. Other modes such as railways, inland waterways, and air transport play secondary roles.<ref name="adb transport">{{cite book |author1=Asian Development Bank |title=Myanmar transport sector policy note: How to reduce transport costs |date=2016 |location=Mandaluyong City, Philippines |isbn=978-92-9257-459-8 |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/189075/mya-reduce-transport-costs.pdf}}</ref> | |||
==Road== | ==Road== | ||
{{main|Roads in Myanmar}} | |||
[[File:Hpa-an bus station 01.jpg|thumb|Express buses parked at Hpa-an bus station]] | [[File:Hpa-an bus station 01.jpg|thumb|Express buses parked at Hpa-an bus station]] | ||
[[File:Anawrahta road traffic.jpg|thumb|Traffic on Anawrahta Road, Yangon.]] | |||
In long-distance passenger transport, defined as trips greater than 100 kilometers, buses and coaches are the most widely used mode. Buses accounted for the majority of long-distance passenger trips, representing well over half of total passenger movements and nearly two-thirds of passenger-kilometers traveled. Private cars formed the second largest share, carrying about one-quarter of all long-distance passengers. Freight transport is also more concentrated in road-based modes, trucks carried close to ninety percent of the total freight tonnage and an almost identical share of freight ton-kilometers.<ref name="adb transport" /> | |||
< | |||
The | The condition of Myanmar's roads is generally poor. According to statistics from the Ministry of Construction in 2015, among expressways, national highways, regional and state roads, and highways in border regions, only about 20% are paved with asphalt or concrete. The remainder consists of gravel or unpaved roads, or even simple trails.<ref name="jica">{{cite web |last1=REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR |first1=MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION |title=DATA COLLECTION SURVEY ON NATIONWIDE ROAD AND BRIDGE PRIORITY PROJECTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12357158_01.pdf |website=JICA Report PDF |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> | ||
The construction of Myanmar's highways relies heavily on the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Statistics show that 4,752 kilometers of roads nationwide have adopted the BOT model, including key routes such as the [[Yangon]]-[[Meiktila]]-[[Mandalay]] Highway and the Mandalay–[[Muse]] Highway.<ref name="jica" /> | |||
=== Urban === | |||
[[Yangon]]'s urban transport was relied on a largely bus system, supported by a radial road network, narrow secondary streets, and a small, outdated 50 km [[Yangon Circular Railway|railway]] serving only 1% of trips. Buses, regulated by nonprofit committees and operated alongside two major companies, efficiently provided low-cost transport without subsidies. However, vehicle numbers doubled from 160,000 in 2011 to 320,000 in 2015, and motorcycles are banned in Yangon, spreading congestion beyond peak hours and reducing average speeds from 30 km/h to 10–15 km/h. | |||
[[Mandalay]] has transitioned from a city of bicycles to one dominated by motorcycles, which now account for approximately 70% of trips, while buses serve less than 3% and operate with low efficiency. The city's dense grid and wide roads remain largely uncongested, except in the small central area where mixed use of motorcycles, public transport, and delivery vehicles creates localized congestion and operational stress. [[Motorcycles]] provide cost-effective, flexible mobility for individuals but exacerbate air and noise pollution, increase accidents, and threaten long-term urban sustainability.<ref name="adb urban">{{cite book |author1=Asian Development Bank |title=Myanmar transport sector policy note: Urban Transport |date=2016 |location=Mandaluyong City, Philippines |isbn=978-92-9257-517-5 |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/189083/mya-urban-transport.pdf}}</ref> | |||
==Rail== | ==Rail== | ||
[[File:Myingyan Railway Station 2.jpg|thumb|The trains are relatively slow in Myanmar. The railway trip from [[Bagan]] to [[Mandalay]] takes about 7.5 hours (111 miles; 179 km).]] | [[File:Myingyan Railway Station 2.jpg|thumb|The trains are relatively slow in Myanmar. The railway trip from [[Bagan]] to [[Mandalay]] takes about 7.5 hours (111 miles; 179 km).]] | ||
{{main|Rail transport in Myanmar}} | {{main|Rail transport in Myanmar}} | ||
{{as of| | {{as of|2014}}, Myanmar had {{Convert|6106|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of railways in train routes, all {{track gauge|1000mm}} gauge, and there are currently no rail links to adjacent countries. Much of Myanma Railways' rolling stock is obsolete, with a large share of [[locomotive]]s, wagons, and coaches over 30-40 years old, leading to frequent breakdowns, low availability, high fuel consumption, and difficulty sourcing spare parts, leaving many units unsuitable for rehabilitation. | ||
Despite its extensive network, [[Myanma Railways|MR]] carries only about one in ten passengers and around 5-6% of freight, mainly due to poor service quality: most passenger trips are short and uncompetitive with buses or private cars, trains are slow, crowded, uncomfortable, and frequently delayed. Freight services suffer from a lack of traction power, diversion of locomotives to passenger use, and the absence of container train operations, though steps are now being taken to establish a [[Yangon]]–[[Mandalay]] container service.<ref name="adb railway">{{cite book |author1=Asian Development Bank |title=Myanmar Transport Sector Policy Note: Railways |date=July 2016 |isbn=978-92-9257-464-2 |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/189081/mya-railways.pdf}}</ref> | |||
==Water== | ==Water== | ||
[[File:Bagan 2019 16.jpg|thumb|[[Ayeyarwady River]] ferries in Bagan.]] | [[File:Bagan 2019 16.jpg|thumb|[[Ayeyarwady River]] ferries in Bagan.]] | ||
[[File:IRRAWADDY RIVER FERRY JOURNEY FROM BAGAN TO MANDALAY MYANMAR FEB 2013 (8595024278).jpg|thumb|Ferries in Myanmar]] | [[File:IRRAWADDY RIVER FERRY JOURNEY FROM BAGAN TO MANDALAY MYANMAR FEB 2013 (8595024278).jpg|thumb|Ferries in Myanmar]] | ||
[[Myanmar]]'s inland water transport once central to Myanmar's transport system, now has experienced a significant decline in recent decades. As of 2015, it accounted for only 6% of long-distance freight and 1.5% of passenger transport, a sharp contrast to its historical prominence. The sector's challenges include outdated infrastructure, limited navigability, and competition from road transport. Despite these issues, the [[Irrawaddy River]] remains a viable option for transporting low-value freight between Yangon and Mandalay, with potential cost reductions achievable through improvements in navigation channels and terminals.<ref name="adb river">{{cite book |author1=Asian Development Bank |title=Myanmar transport sector policy note: River Transport |date=2016 |location=Mandaluyong City, Philippines |isbn=978-92-9257-465-9 |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/189082/mya-river-transport.pdf}}</ref> | |||
===Merchant marine=== | ===Merchant marine=== | ||
'' | ''Total:'' | ||
24 ships (with a volume of {{GT|1,000|disp=long}} or over) totalling {{GT|472,284}}/{{DWT|716,533|metric|disp=long}} | 24 ships (with a volume of {{GT|1,000|disp=long}} or over) totalling {{GT|472,284}}/{{DWT|716,533|metric|disp=long}} | ||
<br>''Ships by type:'' | <br>''Ships by type:'' | ||
| Line 69: | Line 61: | ||
==Air== | ==Air== | ||
[[File:Mandalay airport 1.jpg|thumb|[[Mandalay International Airport]].]] | [[File:Mandalay airport 1.jpg|thumb|[[Mandalay International Airport]].]] | ||
Civil aviation contributed a very small share, approximately two to three percent, but remained significant for specific groups of travelers, particularly business passengers and international tourists. | |||
===Airports=== | ===Airports=== | ||
{{main|List of airports in Myanmar}} | |||
Due to the long-term [[Myanmar civil war|civil war]], many airports in Myanmar have been closed due to unstable situation, or converted into military airports due to military needs. Most of the remaining airports are also small in scale, only [[Yangon International Airport|Yangon International]], [[Mandalay International Airport|Mandalay International]] and [[Naypyidaw International Airport|Naypyidaw International]] had adequate facilities to handle larger jets.<ref name=bw>{{cite journal | title=Myanmar Has 11 Airports with over 3250 meters Runways | journal=Bi-Weekly Eleven | language=my | date=30 July 2010 | volume=3 | issue=18 | location=Yangon | page=7}}</ref> | |||
=== Airlines === | |||
{{main|List of airlines of Myanmar}} | |||
Myanmar's aviation sector is relatively small and still developing, with a mix of state-owned and private airlines. The national carrier, [[Myanmar National Airlines]], operates both domestic and limited international routes, competing the largest private airlines [[Myanmar Airways International]], which mainly focus on connecting major cities and tourist destinations within the country, with a few regional flights abroad. | |||
=== | Most carriers operate small fleets, often with aging aircraft, and the industry faces challenges related to safety standards, infrastructure, and financial sustainability. [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état|Political instability]] in recent years have further constrained growth, though tourism remains a key driver for the sector's gradual recovery.<ref>{{cite web |title=Airports and airlines in Myanmar |url=https://www.worlddata.info/asia/burma/airports.php |website=WorldData.info |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Domestic Airline in Myanmar |url=https://www.amazingplanettravel.com/domestic-airline-in-myanmar/ |website=Amazing Planet |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref> | ||
==Pipelines== | == Pipelines == | ||
* Crude oil {{Convert|2228|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}; natural gas {{Convert|558|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. | * Crude oil {{Convert|2228|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}; natural gas {{Convert|558|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. | ||
* Proposed pipe from [[Kyaukphyu]] through [[Mandalay]] to [[Kunming]]<ref>''[[The Weekly Telegraph]]'' 23 January 2008 p17</ref> | * Proposed pipe from [[Kyaukphyu]] through [[Mandalay]] to [[Kunming]]<ref>''[[The Weekly Telegraph]]'' 23 January 2008 p17</ref> | ||
== Regulation == | |||
The government of [[Myanmar]] has several ministries controlling transportation, including the [[Ministry of Construction (Myanmar)|Ministry of Construction]], the [[Ministry of Border Affairs (Myanmar)|Ministry of Border Affairs]], the [[Ministry of Transport (Myanmar)|Ministry of Transport]], the [[Ministry of Rail Transportation (Myanmar)|Ministry of Rail Transport]], and etc. | |||
Myanmar's road network is generally managed by several government bodies, primarily [[Ministry of Construction (Myanmar)|Ministry of Construction]] and [[Ministry of Border Affairs (Myanmar)|Ministry of Border Affairs]], with [[Ministry of Transport (Myanmar)|Ministry of Transport]] responsible for road transport operations.<ref name="jica" /> | |||
{{Wikisource|Roads Law of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar}} | |||
According to the Roads Law of Myanmar, the Ministry of Construction oversees most matters concerning national highways, which plays the most important role in the country's road administration. Local road departments carry out tasks assigned by the Ministry of Construction and manage road affairs within their respective regions. The Ministry of Border Affairs coordinates road affairs in areas controlled by ethnic armed groups, such as [[Wa State]]. Additionally, City Development Committees are responsible for road construction and management within urban areas. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:34, 19 November 2025
Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates
Transport in Myanmar is characterized by a strong reliance on road transport for both passenger and freight movement. Other modes such as railways, inland waterways, and air transport play secondary roles.[1]
Road
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In long-distance passenger transport, defined as trips greater than 100 kilometers, buses and coaches are the most widely used mode. Buses accounted for the majority of long-distance passenger trips, representing well over half of total passenger movements and nearly two-thirds of passenger-kilometers traveled. Private cars formed the second largest share, carrying about one-quarter of all long-distance passengers. Freight transport is also more concentrated in road-based modes, trucks carried close to ninety percent of the total freight tonnage and an almost identical share of freight ton-kilometers.[1]
The condition of Myanmar's roads is generally poor. According to statistics from the Ministry of Construction in 2015, among expressways, national highways, regional and state roads, and highways in border regions, only about 20% are paved with asphalt or concrete. The remainder consists of gravel or unpaved roads, or even simple trails.[2]
The construction of Myanmar's highways relies heavily on the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Statistics show that 4,752 kilometers of roads nationwide have adopted the BOT model, including key routes such as the Yangon-Meiktila-Mandalay Highway and the Mandalay–Muse Highway.[2]
Urban
Yangon's urban transport was relied on a largely bus system, supported by a radial road network, narrow secondary streets, and a small, outdated 50 km railway serving only 1% of trips. Buses, regulated by nonprofit committees and operated alongside two major companies, efficiently provided low-cost transport without subsidies. However, vehicle numbers doubled from 160,000 in 2011 to 320,000 in 2015, and motorcycles are banned in Yangon, spreading congestion beyond peak hours and reducing average speeds from 30 km/h to 10–15 km/h.
Mandalay has transitioned from a city of bicycles to one dominated by motorcycles, which now account for approximately 70% of trips, while buses serve less than 3% and operate with low efficiency. The city's dense grid and wide roads remain largely uncongested, except in the small central area where mixed use of motorcycles, public transport, and delivery vehicles creates localized congestion and operational stress. Motorcycles provide cost-effective, flexible mobility for individuals but exacerbate air and noise pollution, increase accidents, and threaten long-term urban sustainability.[3]
Rail
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Template:As of, Myanmar had Template:Convert of railways in train routes, all Template:Track gauge gauge, and there are currently no rail links to adjacent countries. Much of Myanma Railways' rolling stock is obsolete, with a large share of locomotives, wagons, and coaches over 30-40 years old, leading to frequent breakdowns, low availability, high fuel consumption, and difficulty sourcing spare parts, leaving many units unsuitable for rehabilitation.
Despite its extensive network, MR carries only about one in ten passengers and around 5-6% of freight, mainly due to poor service quality: most passenger trips are short and uncompetitive with buses or private cars, trains are slow, crowded, uncomfortable, and frequently delayed. Freight services suffer from a lack of traction power, diversion of locomotives to passenger use, and the absence of container train operations, though steps are now being taken to establish a Yangon–Mandalay container service.[4]
Water
.jpg){kind=link}
Myanmar's inland water transport once central to Myanmar's transport system, now has experienced a significant decline in recent decades. As of 2015, it accounted for only 6% of long-distance freight and 1.5% of passenger transport, a sharp contrast to its historical prominence. The sector's challenges include outdated infrastructure, limited navigability, and competition from road transport. Despite these issues, the Irrawaddy River remains a viable option for transporting low-value freight between Yangon and Mandalay, with potential cost reductions achievable through improvements in navigation channels and terminals.[5]
Merchant marine
Total:
24 ships (with a volume of Template:GT or over) totalling Template:GT/Template:DWT
Ships by type:
bulk carrier 1, cargo ship 17, passenger ship 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialised tanker 1 (2008)
note:
a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 3 countries: Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1
Ports and harbours
- Sea
- River
Air
Civil aviation contributed a very small share, approximately two to three percent, but remained significant for specific groups of travelers, particularly business passengers and international tourists.
Airports
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".
Due to the long-term civil war, many airports in Myanmar have been closed due to unstable situation, or converted into military airports due to military needs. Most of the remaining airports are also small in scale, only Yangon International, Mandalay International and Naypyidaw International had adequate facilities to handle larger jets.[6]
Airlines
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".
Myanmar's aviation sector is relatively small and still developing, with a mix of state-owned and private airlines. The national carrier, Myanmar National Airlines, operates both domestic and limited international routes, competing the largest private airlines Myanmar Airways International, which mainly focus on connecting major cities and tourist destinations within the country, with a few regional flights abroad.
Most carriers operate small fleets, often with aging aircraft, and the industry faces challenges related to safety standards, infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Political instability in recent years have further constrained growth, though tourism remains a key driver for the sector's gradual recovery.[7][8]
Pipelines
- Crude oil Template:Convert; natural gas Template:Convert.
- Proposed pipe from Kyaukphyu through Mandalay to Kunming[9]
Regulation
The government of Myanmar has several ministries controlling transportation, including the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Border Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Rail Transport, and etc.
Myanmar's road network is generally managed by several government bodies, primarily Ministry of Construction and Ministry of Border Affairs, with Ministry of Transport responsible for road transport operations.[2]
Template:Wikisource/outer coreScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
According to the Roads Law of Myanmar, the Ministry of Construction oversees most matters concerning national highways, which plays the most important role in the country's road administration. Local road departments carry out tasks assigned by the Ministry of Construction and manage road affairs within their respective regions. The Ministry of Border Affairs coordinates road affairs in areas controlled by ethnic armed groups, such as Wa State. Additionally, City Development Committees are responsible for road construction and management within urban areas.
See also
External links
References
Template:Reflist Template:CIA World Factbook
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- ↑ The Weekly Telegraph 23 January 2008 p17