Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Train to Kampot back on track

Train to Kampot back on track

Train to Kampot back on track

The 117-kilometre Kampot to Phnom Penh railway stretch has reopened, with its first train departing on time, according to the head of railway commissionaire Toll Royal Railways.

“It’s the start of regular service,” said Toll Royal Railways CEO David Kerr.

Although service would initially be limited to freight, he said there were provisions for passenger service at a later date.

Ministry of Public Works and Transport undersecretary of state Yit Bunna said the inaugural train transported cement from a factory in Touk Meas district, Kampot province, to Phnom Penh on Friday.

The 117-kilometre railway largely straddled the existing lines, he said, and added the line from Touk Meas to Preak Sihanouk was expected to be completed next year.

Service will eventually consist of at least one train per day after it is completely renovated, particularly when work on the Touk Meas to Preah Sihanouk line are complete.

Businesses welcomed the newly reopened railway, saying it would help firms cut costs while making the roads safer.
Kampot Cement Factory Vice Chairman Khaou Phallaboth said it could be expensive to send goods by truck, and that rail lines would help reduce risk for regular commuters on the Kingdom’s roads, as there would be less interference from large lorries.
Cambodia represents the largest section of missing track on the planned Singapore-to-Kunming, China, rail line. The Asia Development Bank along with AusAID and Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Companies has committed US$141 million to restoring the Kingdom’s railways.
The 117-kilometre stretch of the 254-kilometre Phnom Penh-to-Sihanoukville South Line is the first section of Cambodia’s rails to reopen.
It will be followed by the 388-kilometre North Line from Phnom Penh to Poipet, and the 48-kilometre missing line between Poipet and Sisophon on the Thai border, according to Toll Royal Railway’s website.
Yit Bunna said work renovating the North Line should begin with the dry season, with the entire project wrapped up by 2013.
Plans call for Samroang Railway Station to be completed in March 2013, with larger containers marshalled at the station, and only shipments of smaller goods such as cement will arrive at Phnom Penh Railway Station, according to Yit Bunna.
Cambodia’s railways, built in 1929, were last upgraded in the 1960s.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.