Corporate sponsors are being sought to fund a uniform program for cyclo and motorcycle taxi drivers, Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara said Tuesday.
“We are looking for a sponsor…like MobiTel or Camintel,” said Chea Sophara.
Sok Leakhena, the municipality’s deputy chief of cabinet, said private companies that sponsor the uniforms will gain the benefit of being able to advertise their company’s name on the uniform.
Mandatory uniforms for cyclo and motor taxi drivers is the latest in a range of initiatives by the municipality designed to clean up Phnom Penh. The plan to find a sponsor for the program was announced at Monday’s weekly municipal meeting, Sok Leakhena said.
Managers of two leading cellular telephone companies in Cambodia said Tuesday that the initiative is a clever advertising idea but they would need more explanation before they could consider sponsorship.
“I’ve heard of this plan before and it all depends on how it is implemented and how many people it will involve,” said Iain Williams, general manager of MobiTel.
Steve Yanuar, Camintel’s managing director, agreed the promotional aspect of advertising on uniforms was a good idea but also said he wants more details about the program before it is seriously considered for funding.
A municipal official said Monday that the uniforms will improve security in the city by enabling people to identify who is a motorcycle taxi driver. It’s not as clear why uniforms are needed for cyclo drivers.
In other municipal initiatives, Chea Sophara has cleared riverside areas of squatters, moved food vendors from some of the city’s main boulevards and started on a campaign to make Phnom Penh’s automobile and motorcycle drivers respect the rules of the road. Municipal officials maintain that the driver-safety initiative on Monivong Boulevard has reduced the number of accidents.
