A" professional association" for the country's cyclo and moto-taxi drivers

has been set up to improve their welfare and driving skills.

The Cambodia Conductors' Association (CCA) aims to help drivers, especially those

coming from Ta Keo, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng and Kompong Speu provinces where harvests

have been poor.

The CCA also plans to provide accomodation for many drivers who sleep on the streets

at night.

It also hopes to teach its members about the country's new traffic regulations and

keep them up-dated on the change of street names.

The CCA also wants to see more cyclos of the type designed in the 1960s with sidelights

and special low bumpers to minimize the damage to motorcars and pedestrians.

The association, or club as it describes itself, was initiated by H.E. Truong Mealy,

Chief of Cabinet at the Royal Palace, and businessman Keo Chamreon who provided the

office space and financial backing.

They have done this from their generous hearts said the CCA's vice president, Chea

Savonnto.

A survey carried out by the CCA showed between 7,000 and 8,000 cyclos and 6,000 to

7,000 moto-taxis to be operating on the capital's streets.

So far, 250 cyclo-drivers and 320 moto-taxi drivers have joined the club and around

ten to 15 drivers arrive at the office seeking membership each day.

The club has also set up a canteen adjacent to its office where it charges 900 riel

per meal but double for non-members. It hopes to set up other canteens at diferent

markets around the city.

Chea Savonn hopes that once it can arrange this first stage, the club will open up

to taxi drivers with cars.

The CCA is also calling on NGOs and other international bodies to help in their work.

The CCA is located at Street 503, Phnom Penh. Tel: 60035.