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Photo gallery: A quiet commute in Yangon

Commuters in Yangon have had limited options since February’s military coup led most railway employees to join the civil disobedience movement and stop working, which in turn shut down railway service. Now, the authorities have managed to create one daily round trip - overseen by armed guards - that connects Hlawga Station north of Yangon to the Central Station in the morning and then makes a return trip in the late afternoon.

2021.06.25

Before the coup, tens of thousands of passengers rode Yangon's commuter trains each day. (Myo Min Soe/RFA) — Before the coup, tens of thousands of passengers rode Yangon’s commuter trains each day. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

Metro rail commuters ride the Yangon train. During the morning run, most passengers kept their heads down as armed security personnel patrolled the carriages. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

A furniture worker puts some touches on a cabinet at a station in suburban Yangon. With few railway workers on the job, there was no one to tell him he couldn't work there. (Myo Min Soe/RFA) — A furniture worker puts some touches on a cabinet at a station in suburban Yangon. With few railway workers on the job, there was no one to tell him he couldn’t work there. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

A smattering of passengers leaves Thamine Station. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

Kyeemyindaing Station was built in 1928 and is one of the oldest in the system. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

The makeshift train schedule is posted at Thiri Myaing Station. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

A deserted station along the route. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

Passengers ride on one of the daily runs. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

Now, places such as this overpass are nearly deserted. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)

The once-bustling railyard at Yangon Central Station has become a much quieter place. (Myo Min Soe/RFA)