It became real due to the restoration of old tracks, though the speed is limited. Till the end of July the 65km long train trip from Serey Saophoan to Battambang will take two hours and a half and will be free.
At the opening ceremony the drivers were asked to give priority to trains as there have already been crashes. People crossing the rails were also warned to be careful as the train cannot stop at once.
The Ministry is planning to open a 107km railway from Battambang to Pursat at the end of May. After that they will continue working on the 134km railway line from Pursat to Bat Doeng. The major part of finance for the rehabilitation of tracks from Poipet to Bat Doeng comes from government, the Asian Development Bank paying the sixth part.
The last to be restored is the rail from Bat Doeng to Phnom Penh. There are plans to join Phnom Penh and Bangkok. A 30-year concession was granted to Royal Railways in 2009 to restore and service existing railways.
Passenger Railway Traffic Begins from Battambang and Banteay Meanchey Provinces, Cambodia
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Passenger trains started running from the provincial capitals of Battambang and Banteay Meanchey in Cambodia during the Khmer New Year.