For people living in Yangon, booking a taxi to get somewhere in a hurry is a routine part of life. When booking a ride, it matters that you feel safe and that the fare is fair. The same goes for sending items — you want your package to arrive quickly and securely.
Many apps have emerged to make getting around town and sending items safer and more reliable. Among them is an app built by Loyar Myanmar. To make it easier for anyone interested in using the Loyar app, the Myanmar Tech Press team spoke with U Myo Min Oo, Director of Loyar Myanmar, for this interview.
The Loyar app launched in 2020, built with the goal of making it easier for people traveling around Yangon to book taxis, making deliveries more convenient, and helping reduce traffic congestion and accidents.
Photo Source https://www.facebook.com/LoyarMM
“In other countries, taxis run on meters — it’s straightforward and transparent. That wasn’t the case in Myanmar. But times have changed, so we thought: what if we put a meter system inside a phone app? That’s basically how this came about. Our system is built around a meter — pay based on how far you actually ride, plain and simple. Some apps set a single fixed price upfront, but with Loyar, you only pay for the distance you actually travel,” said U Myo Min Oo, Director of Loyar Myanmar.
When the Loyar app first launched, it was built purely for booking taxis, but after COVID-19 hit, the team added a delivery feature called “Loe Yar Poh.” Since the app hasn’t been running for very long, it currently has just over a thousand users. Taxi drivers who want to drive using the Loyar app can also register as members with Loyar Myanmar.
“We accept honest drivers who treat passengers with courtesy and provide good service. If we later find a driver isn’t providing good service, we restrict them. A driver’s license needs to be at least a Class D license — a household driving license doesn’t qualify. And the car itself needs to be registered as a taxi. Those are the basic requirements. Once you’re registered, you can use our app to provide the service. We also give drivers a Loyar-branded light sign and shirts,” he explained.
The Loyar app will continue to be upgraded and gain new features based on how it’s used going forward. Currently, the fare for passengers using the Loyar app is set at 500 kyats per kilometre.
“We set a per-kilometre fare for passengers, but it’s not fixed — it changes depending on fuel prices. When a passenger first starts a ride, we charge the driver a 1,500 kyat fee. That’s because traffic congestion burns extra fuel. Also, if a passenger books through the app, the driver has to travel to pick them up, which uses fuel depending on the pickup distance. That’s why we charge 1,500 kyats upfront, and then calculate the per-kilometre fare on top of that,” he explained.
Photo… U Myo Min Oo, Director of Loyar Myanmar
Since the app launched, Loyar Myanmar had been charging drivers a 200 kyat service fee per trip, but that has now changed to 300 kyats, in line with current prices in Myanmar. One of Loyar Myanmar’s key features is that passengers can still use the “Loe Yar” hail-and-scan system even without the Loyar app installed on their phone — hailing a designated Loyar taxi on the street still gets you the original per-kilometre fare.
“For passenger safety, we’ve added a Share Location feature in the app, so you can let friends and family know the route you’re taking. If you leave something behind in the car, there’s a Lost and Found feature built into the app where you can simply submit a report. Passengers can also save frequently visited locations to make getting around easier. You can also enter emergency contact numbers, so if something urgent happens, our company can reach out on your behalf. There are also features that let you earn benefits by referring the app to others. For companies, we’ve also added a feature that lets employees travel using the app in a connected way,” he continued.
You can find out more at the following links:
Loyar Myanmar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoyarMM
App link for drivers:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/loyar/id1528927572
App link for passengers:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/loyar/id1528927572
FAQ
Q: How is the Loyar taxi fare calculated?
A: A 1,500 kyat upfront fee is charged to cover driver pickup costs, plus 500 kyats per kilometre travelled, though rates can shift with fuel prices.
Q: Can I use Loyar without the app installed?
A: Yes — passengers can hail a Loyar-branded taxi directly on the street and scan its QR code through the “Loe Yar” hail-and-scan system, paying the standard per-kilometre rate.