A new inter-ministry prakas is planned that controls and ensures the safety of bus passengers using the Kingdom’s growing bus network, and may include monitoring the behaviour of drivers and companies prior to granting licences, Cambodian officials said.

Bus companies are now controlled by Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, while the Ministry of Tourism controls tourist transportation operated by tour companies, said Thong Khon, minister of Tourism.

“We [The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation] have to co-operate to promote the issue,” he said, adding, that he would not give details about the prakas except that monitoring the behaviour of drivers and companies prior to handing over licences to operate was planned.

Thong Khon declined to give the deadline for completion of the new inter-ministry prakas.

Phann Na, General Director of Phnom Penh Sorya Transportation Company, said that the company’s buses had suffered accidents “at least two times” this year.

The most important things are the placing of more traffic signs, and the efficient legal enforcement by officials, he said.

“To strenghten drivers is not enough because the quality of the roads is sometimes very poor. There can be a critical lack of traffic signs and officials often don’t enforce laws properly,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rann Reuy at [email protected]