In a major move to address the capital’s traffic congestion, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and experts from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) held wide-ranging discussions on the feasibility of a Metro Rail Transit (METRO) system.
The meeting marked the beginning of a comprehensive study that could transform urban mobility in Phnom Penh.
Leng Thunyuthea, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), chaired the session with the project implementation team, according to a recent MPWT press release.
Experts from AIIB, led by Project Team Leader Jin Wang and senior officials from MPWT, inter-ministerial leaders, and representatives from the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Phnom Penh Capital Hall, as well as the Departments of Public Works and Transport from Phnom Penh and Kandal Province took part in the meeting.
“The meeting was held to review the progress of the project study and gather feedback on the initial report from experts, consultants, and relevant stakeholders,” read the MPWT statement, adding, “Following these discussions, the project implementation team and AIIB experts will conduct additional field studies at key locations along major corridors in Phnom Penh.”
The field studies will include inspections of bus terminals, Phnom Penh Railway Station, Phnom Penh International Airport, Techo International Airport, new development zones, satellite cities, and other critical locations. The goal is to identify priority routes for feasibility studies and assess the potential for establishing a future urban public transport network in Phnom Penh.
Talking to Khmer Times, Spokesperson for MPWT Phan Rim said that the project is still in its early phase, which focuses on studying, collecting data, and gathering input from all relevant parties.
He emphasized that more details will be made public once this phase is complete.
“I would like to clarify that this study is an additional effort to complement the previous public transportation studies conducted by MPWT and Phnom Penh Capital Hall. These earlier studies explored options such as Light Rail, Automated Guideway Transit, Bus Rapid Transit, and Tramways,” Rim said.
He added that the current study builds upon earlier work by adding further layers of research and consultation to create a more comprehensive understanding of Phnom Penh’s transportation needs.
“The goal is to provide the Ministry with a solid foundation for selecting an efficient transportation system or intermodal solution that effectively addresses traffic congestion and accidents, preserves the city’s environment and aesthetics, and remains affordable for the public,” he explained.
Rim stressed that this study is a critical step towards finding a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive transportation solution for Phnom Penh.
MPWT confirmed that the Phnom Penh Metro Rail (METRO) Pre-Study Project was officially signed by MPWT and AIIB on September 26, 2024, in Beijing, China. This study is part of a broader effort to evaluate public transportation solutions for Phnom Penh, building on previous studies by the ministry and Phnom Penh Capital Hall on various transit options, including light rail, Automated Guideway Transit, Bus Rapid Transit, and tramways.
The objective is to establish a well-informed basis for selecting an efficient and sustainable urban transit system that can effectively reduce traffic congestion and accidents while preserving the city’s environment and aesthetics. However, it is important to note that conducting this study does not necessarily mean the project will proceed to construction.