The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) expects to begin service on a 107-kilometre train route from Battambang to Pursat on May 29, saying on their Facebook page that officials are actively working on restoring the track.

“Our officials are working tirelessly, both day and night, to begin the train service through the plan that will [be launched] in May this year,” MPWT said in its Facebook page on Sunday.

Once operational, the Battambang-Pursat line will follow on the heels of the opening of a 58-kilometre stretch between the border town of Poipet and Banteay Meanchey province’s Mongkul Borey, which was inaugurated on April 29.

With Pursat and Battambang connected by rail, the ministry then plans on restoring the 134-kilometre stretch of track from Pursat to Bat Doeng, in Kampong Speu’s Oudong district.

The remaining 32 kilometres from Bat Doeng to Phnom Penh was scheduled to be completed last, and a passenger service from Phnom Penh to the Thai border at Poipet was set to be available by the end of the year, Transportation Minister Sun Chanthol said in April.

Additionally, the minister mentioned that new railway tracks – from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Siem Reap to Poipet, and Phnom Penh to Bavet on the Vietnam border – were also being studied by private companies.