http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/passenger-train-services-resume
"Passenger trains are set to roll between the capital and the coast next month for the first time in 14 years, a railway official said yesterday.
Sam Oeun Tith, commercial manager of Royal Railway, which holds a 30-year concession to operate the country’s railways, said the company plans to run passenger trains along the 266-kilometer “Southern Line” from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville starting in April."
I won't hold my breath
I can not see a massive switch to rail from road (one of their objectives) with an 8 hour journey time
I agree with #1, the sort of people who can afford to make the journey are not going to switch to a service that will take two or three times longer than the bus (and that is only the schedule, not the reality) for a small fare difference.
Plans to being the operative words. Anyone who has been to Cambodia frequently knows the reality and takes such announcements with a grain of salt until it actually happens. But hasn't this announcement been made before?
"The journey will take around eight hours averaging 33 km/h, with ticket prices yet to be determined – though he insists the company is aiming to make it “cheaper than the bus service.”"
"an alternative to the 3-4 hour road trip"
i bet the newspapers already have the next article written:
"Passenger train services to cease"
Passenger services will resume. There's always gullible people who believe all they read. But how can a service cease if it doesn't start. Someone needs to start running a book on this.
On the basis that they have made this announcement one should assume that they have bought some trains so it is likely to start at some stage whether it will be a success is another matter
they have spent a lot of money on this and it is very surprising that they have ended up with such a slow speed which suggests that that the line is more likely to go for the freight market - not a bad thing if it gets the lorries off the road but a missed opportunity none the less
It sounds like a foreign aid boondoggle where some country gives Cambodia money as long as they use it to buy trains from that country's train manufacturer and nobody really bothers if a year later the trains are all rusting on a siding.
I would like to see this service begin.
I would ride it because because I like trains and they are a more comfortable than buses.
However it doubt it will last long. I just do not have faith in all these Cambodians all along the track cooperating, and I have no faith In Cambodians being able to run a passenger railroad service.
Still, while it lasts it will be fun.