Horse-drawn carriage use drops in Pyin Oo Lwin

With the growing popularity of motorbikes and other motorized vehicles in Pyin Oo Lwin, the use of horse-drawn carriages—a trademark of this Mandalay Region town—is on the decline, say carriage drivers.

In 2003, there were 153 such carriages in Pyin Oo Lwin. But in ten year’s time that number has gone down by more than half, with only 62 horse-drawn carriages in local circulation now. Carriage drivers are increasingly relying on foreign travelers and domestic visitors, rather than local townsfolk, to earn a living. The estimated cost for a horse and carriage can range from K500,000 to K1.2 million.

“Only luxury travelers from the town take the carriages nowadays. The majority of residents drive motorbikes,” said one carriage driver. “The horse-and-buggy market is relying solely on tourists and domestic travelers.”

The driver added that horse-drawn carriages are symbolic of Pyin Oo Lwin and are not going to disappear. Those who prefer carriages to modern vehicles will continue taking the carriages, he said.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/3441-horse-drawn-carriage-use-drops-in-pyin-oo-lwin