World War 2 Vet Buses & Trucks

[ncr]

Also interesting, from the "Getting Around" (http://www.mawlamyine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=65) section (and here (http://www.mawlamyine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=68)):

http://www.mawlamyine.com/images/stories/transport/mawlamyine_car.jpg
Mawlamyine Wooden Bus (Ka)

http://www.mawlamyine.com/images/stories/transport/tiq_car.jpg

http://www.mawlamyine.com/images/stories/transport/line_car_inside.jpg

http://www.mawlamyine.com/images/stories/transport/liencar12.jpg

Mawlamyine has the usual types of public transport found in most South East Asian towns from the ubiquitous pedal cabs known as the seikah in Myanmar, to passenger pickups and motorcycle taxis. But one mode of transport unique to Mawlamyine are the wooden buses formerly used by the military in World War II and later to ferry teak from the surrounding forests to the Mawlamyine's port for export. These days, the converted trucks are mainly used to carry passengers from central Zeigyi to Mawlamyine's southern districts near the airport and to Zei Atik on the eastern border of town.

[GWR]

Will these veterans end up in either museums in the hands of loving enthusiasts? I doubt it! As is the case with some old steam locomotives & railway carriages in Thailand, they will probably end up decorating the 'Dude Ranches' of SLORC/Junta/Tatmadaw Generals:

Old Chevrolet buses being phased out in Rangoon
Nem Davies
Thursday, 03 July 2008 21:26

New Delhi – Burmese authorities in Rangoon said it will revoke the license of over 400 World War II vintage Chevrolet buses, which are unique to the city.

'All Routes Commuter Bus Authority' has commenced plans to replace the Chevrolet buses with a wooden body with a modern fleet of buses on Rangoon roads.

Japanese made City Buses will replace the old buses to ease traffic jams, an official of the Bus Authority told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.

"We will use the City Bus. Most of them are made in Japan. The old buses can accommodate few people. The new buses can carry more people and will help ease traffic jams in the downtown area. We need only one new bus instead of two old buses for that area," he said.

The main idea is to better the capacity which the new City Buses will provide compared to the old buses though the engines of these old ones are still in good shape, the official said.

"We have been replacing the buses since June 1 with the new buses that we have got. We will continue replacing as and when we get the new buses. It depends on the money we receive. We already have over 60 new buses," he said.

The fare in the new buses is Kyat 200 per head like the 'Parimi' buses. The number of passengers on the new buses is limited to its seating capacity. If buses are found carrying passengers standing, action will be taken against the drivers, the official said.

However the old Chevrolet buses can still be seen plying on the roads in Rangoon suburbs such as Thaketa, South Dagon and North Dagon.

There are a total of 5,000 buses plying on Rangoon roads.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4-inside-burma/753-old-chevrolet-buses-being-phased-out-in-rangoon