People’s Voice on the Myanmar-Korea Friendship (Dala) Bridge

The Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge (Dala), the highest steel cable-stayed bridge in Myanmar, opened on 6 February. The bridge has already become a Yangon landmark, with thousands of people using it daily.
Below, we share the accounts of those who have travelled between Dala and Yangon by road and water since the bridge’s opening, as well as those whose livelihoods depend on it.

Ma Mya Phu Ngon (vendor)
My name is Mya Phu Ngon. I live near the Dala-Twantay junction and work at a shop on Latha Road, near Yangon General Hospital. Before the bridge was completed and the YBS (Yangon Bus Service) began operating, I had to take an ‘Oway’ (three-wheeler) to the jetty, cross to Yangon by boat, and then walk to work. The return journey was the same. Now, I can take the YBS directly. Previously, a round-trip cost about K5,000, but now it is only K1,000. In the past, I had to leave by 3 pm or 4 pm to ensure I could get home; now, I can stay in Yangon until the bus arrives at 5 pm or 6 pm.

U Myint Than (boat driver)
My name is U Myint Than. Previously, after deducting fuel costs and tolls, I would have about K30,000-K40,000 left. Now, that has been reduced by half. I am thinking about what future job opportunities might arise now that the bridge is open. I believe factories will soon move here; if that happens, there will be new opportunities for us.

U Ye Ko Ko (driver, YBS 58)
My name is Ye Ko Ko, and I am a driver for YUPT. Our buses run from Botahtaung to the Dala-Twantay junction, starting at 6 am. Currently, they run every 30 minutes, depending on passenger numbers. We plan to increase the frequency to every 15 minutes as demand grows. Since most of our passengers are travelling to Twantay, and these buses currently stop at the Dala Bridge, passengers want the route extended further. We have submitted this proposal to the YBS company. If we adjust the route, we can better serve both Dala and Twantay residents. The previous routes were never this crowded; there were few passengers after office hours. Now, the buses are busy at all times. In the evenings, especially, buses are full in both directions. It’s wonderful to see – you can see young and old people alike enjoying trips across the bridge in groups.

Ma Su Hlaing Htwe (vendor)
I am Ma Su Hlaing Htwe. I work at the U Maung Khaing fruit shop near the Aye Myat Mon clothing shop on the Dala side of the bridge. Now that the bridge is open, more people are visiting Dala from Yangon, so sales of Twantay fruits are more brisk than before. Travel has become much easier and faster for us, and transport costs for our goods have been significantly reduced. If you are visiting Dala from Yangon, please come and support us at the Aye Myat Mon garment shop and U Maung Khaing fruit shop!

U Tun Aung (Jetty station supervisor)
My name is U Tun Aung, and I am the supervisor at the jetty station. We manage two jetties: Kama Aung and Thanlyat. Since the bridge opened, passenger numbers have decreased. Before the opening, there were over 150 ferries; now, there are only about 60. Drivers used to earn about K50,000 a day, leaving them with K30,000-K40,000 after costs. Now, they take home about K20,000. We are still operating, though the fleet has shrunk. — ASH/MKKS

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