City Hall has finalized plans for seven new bus lines across Phnom Penh’s fledgling bus service, according to a spokesman.
Officials have approved the addition of the new lines, along with the revision of two existing lines, municipal spokesman Met Measpheakdey said on Monday, nearly two months after 100 buses donated by China to run the new routes arrived at the Sihanoukville port.
Japan has also donated 140 new buses, he added, the first 80 of which will arrive at the beginning of next year.
On average, about 8,000 to 9,000 people take the bus every day and 20 new buses are running on each of the city’s three existing lines. The buses will be allocated based on how many riders use each line, Mr. Measpheakdey said.
Line 1 will remain unchanged, and the adjusted lines 2 and 3, as well as the new lines 4A, 4B and 5, will commence on September 1.
New lines 6, 7A , 7B and 8 will start at the beginning of October.
Buses on the same numerical line, such as 4A and 4B, will leave from the same platform, then diverge at some point, he added.
According to an announcement on Sunday, the adjusted line 2 leaves Aeon Mall 2 Station and goes all the way to Kandal province’s Takhmao City. Line 3 will run from Russei Keo to Borey Santepheap II station.
New lines 4A and 4B will both start from Russei Keo district park on National Road 5, with the former ending at Borey Santepheap II station, passing a hub of garment factories on the way. The latter will stop at the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone.
Line 5 will service Aeon Mall II with line 6 running between Borey Rong Roeung station and Russian Federation Boulevard.
The three lines 7A, 7B and 8 will leave from Kilometer Pram Buon station.
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on Sunday that workers would be able to use public buses at no cost for two years starting from August 20, as part of a promised package of new benefits.
“The provision is not only for the garment workers,” Mr. Measpheakdey said. “Samdech [Prime Minister Hun Sen] certified that it is for general workers.”
