Cambodia: Second section of western rail line opens

• Apr 30, 2018

The railroad connecting Serey Sophorn in Poipet to Battambang, a section of the western rail line that runs for 65 kilometres, officially opened Sunday.

The service will stop at Serey Sophorn, Mongkul Borey, Chomka Jek, Phnom Toch, Toul Somrong, Chroy Sdao, Chundeu Sva, Otaky, Siem and Battambang.

Cambodia is now one step closer to having train service between its capital and Poipet city, in the border with Thailand.

The first section of the western rail line, linking Poipet and Serey Sophorn, was inaugurated earlier this month, and the third one, expanding 107 kilometres and connecting Battambang and Pursat, is scheduled to be ready by the end of May.

The launching ceremony was presided over by Sun Chanthol, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, and took place at Serey Sophorn’s railway station.

“We will restore the connection from Battambang to Pursat by May, to Bat Deng in Kampong Speu province by July, and finally to Phnom Penh before the end of the year,” Mr Chanthol said.

The service is free to all passengers until the end of July. The price of a ticket after July is yet to be decided.

The western line is operated by Royal Railway, a subsidiary of Royal Group, which is owned by conglomerate Kith Meng.

Cambodia has one other rail line. Known as the southern rail line, it connects Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk province, passing through Takeo and Kampot.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50484559/second-section-of-western-rail-line-opens/