Proposed light rail line to link SAI to Siem Reap town centre
THE government, in collaboration with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), is engaging with a private Chinese company to explore the development of a light rail line connecting Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) to Siem Reap town, aiming to facilitate tourists’ travel.
Sun Chanthol, first vicechair of the CDC and chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Commission, presided over the inaugural consultation meeting of the commission on December 26.
The forum focused on the research process of China Metro Group’s light rail development project, aiming to prevent any disturbances in Angkor archaeological sites and the protected areas under the jurisdiction of the Apsara National Authority (ANA), Chanthol said in a social media post following the meeting.
He noted that the meeting’s initiative was to advance the project’s implementation in response to the increasing number of tourists and transportation services in the area and to alleviate traffic congestion from the airport to the provincial town.
The airport, which officially opened on October 16, is approximately 50km from the town centre. Passengers can travel from the airport by taxi, with fares at $35 for a minivan and $40 for a minibus.
Ho Vandy, an adviser to the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), highlighted that the proposed project would significantly benefit tourists in the province.
“We understand that the distance from SAI to the city appears to be far. Having a variety of travel options is better for tourists. The light rail project, connecting SAI to Siem Reap town, could provide a new alternative, offering significant savings in both time and cost,” he said.
Li Kuo, China Metro Group chairman of the board, told Prime Minister Hun Manet that his company was studying the development of light rails from the Kingdom’s two new international airports – SAI and under-construction Techo International Airport (TIA), which will replace Phnom Penh International Airport once completed – during his attendance at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing this October.
Li explained that the two lines would directly connect the airports to their respective town centres.
The prime minister expressed his support for the projects, noting that they would help alleviate traffic congestion. He advised the company to consider studying all possible aspects, such as road development, flyovers and subways.