By Thitsa (MNA), Translated by KTZH
As 2025 comes to an end and the New Year arrives, citizens who cherish traditional culture and religious values usually take the opportunity during festivals and public holidays to travel, whether with family, in groups, in small parties, or even alone, to enjoy natural beauty with a refreshed mind, renewed spirit, and new perspectives. During the international New Year holiday, from the end of December 2025 through the transition into 1 January 2026, people commonly travel to various tourist destinations for rest and recreation.
As the morning sunlight pours down onto Platform No 1 of Yangon Railway Station, the Yangon-Pyay up air-conditioned train is ready like a racehorse about to be released from the starting gate. On Platform No 1, travellers move about boarding and taking their seats, tour groups enter the platform area, and families and friends come to see passengers off. Yangon Railway Station warmly welcomes the New Year with lively activity. Railway staff, smiling and speaking courteously, guide passengers to their respective carriages, check tickets, and announce departure times and routes. In the cool morning air, the station is vibrant and full of activities.
During the December Christmas holidays this year, many people travelled to upper Myanmar for vacations. With the extended New Year public holidays from 1 to 4 January, travellers’ faces reflect satisfaction and peace of mind as they enjoy three-night trips. As 1 January marks International New Year’s Day, from as early as 5 am, Yangon Railway Station was bustling with travellers. Such a situation recalled the days when Myanma Railways once carried large numbers of passengers, clearly showing the public’s enduring affection for railway travel. Especially, the experience of travelling by train differs greatly from travelling by car, and also, comfortable train journeys continue to be favoured by the people of Myanmar. Regarding New Year holiday travel services, U Yin Min Oo, Manager of Myanma Railways Division No 7, said as follows.
For the New Year period, services are provided on the Yangon-Mandalay route with the regular train No 1 up mail train, Train No 2 down mail train, Train No 11up train, and Train No 12 down train. On the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw route, services include Train No 31 up, Train No 32 down DEMU, Train No 7 up DEMU, and Train No 8 down DEMU. On the Yangon-Mawlamyine route, Train No 81 up and Train No 82 down are operating. On the Yangon-Pyay route, Train No 71 up and Train No 72 down are running, while on the Yangon-Bago route, Train No 13 up and Train No 14 down DEMU are in service. In addition, Train No 63 up and Train No 64 down are operating between Kyimyindaing railway station and Pyay railway station.
Yesterday morning, the Yangon-Mandalay and Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw special trains had already departed, while announcements for the departure of the Yangon-Pyay train were being made in a gentle voice by a young woman at the station service counter. Travellers chatting with those seeing them off wave goodbye and hurry aboard. Regarding the increase in passenger numbers and the addition of extra carriages, Manager U Yin Min Oo said, “As Myanmar Railways, depending on passenger demand, we sometimes increase the number of carriages. During the recent December and Christmas holidays, we also operated special trains to ensure convenient travel for both government staff and the public. As railway lines and signalling systems have been modernized, we are now able to use modern locomotives and passenger coaches. On the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw route, we operated special DEMU trains, and on the Yangon-Mandalay route, DEMU trains were introduced. These allow higher speeds, cleaner coaches, and reduced travel times, which passengers appreciate, leading to increased ridership. During this international New Year holiday, we are operating additional special air-conditioned trains and providing improved services.
At Platform No 1, the Yangon-Pyay special train is announced to depart at 11 am, with only five minutes remaining. The introduction of new coaches, locomotives, and upgraded railway infrastructure signals a new era for Myanma Railways. These improvements contribute to increased state revenue while giving a sense of pride to the relevant department. Previously, upper-class tickets had to be purchased three days in advance and ordinary tickets one day in advance. Now, tickets can be purchased online up to five days ahead using mobile phones and MMQR code payments. Online services are available for the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw DEMU trains, including Train Nos 7, 8, 31, and 32, which travellers from distant areas greatly appreciate. Myanma Railways continues to provide regular services as well as special trains during extended public holidays, ensuring smooth and convenient travel. During this New Year holiday season, the increase in train travel amid the cool winter weather highlights the benefits of offering modern special train services.
At 5 am yesterday, the regular Yangon-Mandalay train departed at 6 am by a DEMU Spanish train from Nay Pyi Taw connecting to Mandalay. Services also include a noon DEMU train to Nay Pyi Taw, an 11 am air-conditioned train to Pyay, a 7 am train to Mawlamyine, trains to Bago, and New Year special trains to Mawlamyine and Pyay from Kyimyindaing. Daw Pyone Lae Cho, a company employee travelling from Yangon to visit relatives in Mandalay, shared her feelings about New Year travel… “I enjoy travelling during the New Year more than other holidays. After a year of work, my heart feels lighter and refreshed, and travelling gives me time to think carefully about plans for the coming year. Winter travel is more comfortable than summer and brings greater peace of mind. Travelling by car feels like viewing nature as a framed painting, but travelling by train allows you to experience vast, open natural beauty all the way to the horizon. That sense of joy is why I chose to travel by train this New Year. I can see the progress of Myanma Railways, and as a citizen, I wish them continued success”.
At 6 am, the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw DEMU departed, and the Yangon Railway Station was crowded with passengers bundled in warm clothing in the cool morning air. U Okkar Kyaw, who is travelling with his family to Nay Pyi Taw, shared his experience… this year, since my parents are in Nay Pyi Taw, we plan to visit them, pay respects, go on pilgrimages, and visit landmarks such as the zoo. Then, we plan to go to Mandalay and spend a night in Bagan. At first, we planned to travel by car, but the children insisted on taking the train. I hadn’t travelled by train in a long time either. Once aboard, I was impressed by the interior and modernization. Seeing my children happy reminded me of the joy of travel from my own childhood. I hope Myanma Railways continues to improve and succeed”.
The sound of farewell spread through Platform No 1, and as the Yangon-Pyay train slowly departed, sounding its whistle. Ma Cherry Hmwe, who was training on that train, said,” I’ve never travelled by train before, and I’ve only gone to Pyay by bus. I loved seeing train journeys in movies and wanted to see the countryside, fields, and mountains. I’ve already prepared for Grade 12. In Pyay, I’ll go on pilgrimages, watch the sunset over the Ayeyawady River, and spend time with relatives and friends. Travelling helps broaden our knowledge. Winter travel is comfortable, and seasonal local foods make the experience special. Such experience can occur once a year. I only truly realized for myself that the feeling of competing in sports during the New Year and the feeling of travelling are completely different. Travelling on a big train like this, reading while on the journey, and enjoying the natural scenery outside are experiences unlike anything else, which is why I feel so excited to travel by train. Because the seats and interior are comfortable and well designed, I also feel proud to be travelling by train. In this New Year, I wish all travellers like me peace and happiness in both body and mind”.
Health experts claim that those who travel tend to have a lower risk of heart disease than those who do not. The happiness and physical activity gained from travel support both heart health and overall well-being, while also improving memory. As it also offers a chance to be younger in mind and body, one should travel whenever possible. Travelling at times that are suitable for the season brings even greater benefits.
From the evening of 31 December 2025, travellers began departing Yangon. As 1 January 2026 is International New Year’s Day, people travelling by train, road, and air can be seen. Around the world, people welcome the New Year through travel and celebration. In Myanmar, the growing preference for train travel has led to the operation of more special services. Welcoming the New Year with train journeys symbolizes new beginnings and positive change for the country. Travelling by train during the New Year brings light-hearted joy, full appreciation of natural beauty, and renewed strength of mind, offering fresh thoughts, perspectives, and hopes for a bright, progressive future.
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