Phnom Penh bus project proves popular

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  • Saturday, February 25, 2012
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  • PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) – As the Municipality of Phnom Penh considers plans for a public transport network with buses,  ordinary people are expressing their support for the initiative.

    Tith Chandara, assistant lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said he totally supported the project.

    “The number of people is increasing day by day in Phnom Penh, so public transport should exist,” he said, adding that the price should be reasonable for all people to afford. He expects a circular route that would be easy to access for most people.

    Ngoeum Phally, an employee of the Bophana Center, agreed the project was a good idea.

    “It could reduce heavy traffic and help improve the image of the city and tourism,” she said.

    However, she said she believes the project will succeed only if there are fewer cars on the road and if the city builds enough bus stops.

    “The timetables need to be regular otherwise it will be overloaded,” she added.

    French public transport consultancy Systra presented the results of a feasibility study to the municipality last week.

    The study shows that Phnom Penh is at a turning point due to demographic growth, booming mobility and steady economic expansion which have complicated traffic flows, making it necessary to have a proper public transport system .

    “The team was mainly focused on some significant routes such as Monivong, Monireth and Russian Boulevards as well as National Roads 5, 2 and 1 and the Chaom Chao Roundabout which would link suburban areas to urban zones,” said Systra representative Antoine Chevre.

    Governor Kep Chuktema said the requirement for public transport was urgent, calling on relevant agencies and departments to cooperate with Systra and the Japan International Cooperation Agency in carrying out a detailed study with the aim of launching a bus system this year.



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