SMRT partners Japan, Myanmar firms to offer limousine service in Yangon

YANGON — Singapore's largest public transport operator will team up with Japanese trading house Toyota Tsusho Corp and a Myanmar company to offer a joint limousine service in Yangon to cater to the need for premium transit opportunities.

Strides Transportation Pte. Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore's SMRT Corp, signed an agreement last week with the two companies to establish its first overseas joint venture, SMRT Strides Toyotsu Alliance, which will start limousine and car rental services in Myanmar's commercial capital in the first quarter of 2018.

The joint venture will use a range of luxury cars and plans to add more than 100 vehicles to its fleet in two years, aiming to meet limousine transport demand, including pickups at airports and hotels, as well as providing more options for corporate and high-end travellers.

Strides will own a 60 per cent stake in the joint venture while Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific Pte Ltd in Singapore and the Myanmar firm will evenly share the reminder at 20 per cent each.

"We do see that there is a need for limousine transport in Yangon, especially from booming businesses," Tony Heng Yew Teck, managing director of SMRT Taxis & Private Hire Services, said, adding that safety and service reliability are something business travellers are looking for.

Shigeharu Kato, executive vice president of Toyota Tsusho's Singapore arm, said, "Our mission is to improve transportation means in Myanmar."

Initially, Strides will use Toyota brand vehicles supplied by Toyota Tsusho and later expand the service with other brands after reviewing market requirements, said Heng, adding that its investment will provide additional mobility in the growing market.

In recent years, international ride-hailing giants like Uber Technologies Inc. of the United States and Grab Taxi Holdings Pte. Ltd. of Singapore have entered Myanmar, heating up competition in Myanmar's private transportation sector, which was originally dominated by similar local taxi service providers such as Hello Cab and Oway Ride. KYODO