New Transport Links eady for KNY

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 The western railway service in Banteay Meancheay. 

The Transportation Ministry is launching two transportation services this week in order to accommodate those traveling ahead of Khmer New Year. 

The western railway service in Banteay Meanchey province, stretching about 48 km between Poipet and Serey Sophorn, will become operational as of today. Meanwhile, the water taxis from Preak Pnov in northern Phnom Penh to Takmao city in Kandal province will start on Friday.

Ministry spokesman Va Simsorya said the services were Khmer New Year gifts for the Cambodian people. The rail service, run by Royal Railways, will be free until the end of July, while the ministry-controlled water taxi service will follow the same policy.

There are five stations along the 25 km waterway from Preak Pnov to Takmao, and the service will take an average of 35 minutes, Mr. Simsorya said.

“We set the deadline for launching the water taxi service, so we have a race against time to finish construction and launch the service on April 6,” Mr. Simsorya said.

Once operational, three boats will be used at a time out of six boats available. Each boat can carry 60 passengers.

“We have not decided the boat fares yet,” Mr. Simsorya said.

This article was originally published in the Khmer Times.