Free Buses Take Thousands to Hometowns
Thousands of people have flocked to their home provinces on buses provided free by the Phnom Penh city hall from April 12 to 16. Photo: Soy Rathanakvisal
- By Teng Yalirozy
- April 12, 2024 11:55 AM
PHNOM PENH – Thousands of people have flocked to their home provinces on buses provided free by the Phnom Penh city hall from April 12 to 16.
About 455 buses have been prepared, of which 60 are for people traveling in Phnom Penh and 395 to take people to and from their hometowns.
There are seven bus stations, such as Veal Sbov bus station (Borey Dara Samnang entrance) with 17 buses for people to Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces.
On National Road 2 to Kandal and Takeo provinces, there is a bus stop in front of Phnom Penh Gendarmerie at Veng Sreng Blvd. in front of the Church of Jesus Christ, with three buses.
People going to Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kep and Sihanoukville can wait at the bus station on Street 2004 next to the Air Force Command fence with 14 buses.
There are 155 buses en route to Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang and Banteay Meanchey. People can board the buses at the Russey Keo Park bus station.
From National Roads 6 and 7 to Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum, there are 170 buses.
From National Road No. 8 and No. 13 to Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, there are 35 buses parked at the Kouch Kanong roundabout bus station. The departure time for public buses is from 6.30 am to 11.30 am.
Yorn Sarith, a bus driver, said he was happy taking people to their hometown and seeing them gathering joyfully with their relatives though he had to be on duty for the whole Khmer New Year and was not able to go home with his family.
“I have been a public driver for six years,” he said. “I always feel satisfied when I can take the people to their destinations safely.”
Likewise, Cheng Mach was happy when he saw many people going to their hometowns and he was a part of creating joy for his compatriots.
“It’s normal things for drivers like us that we cannot gather with our family during occasions like Khmer New Year,” he said. “I am truly happy doing this. But, I am allowed to take three or four days off after the Khmer New Year.”
One passenger waiting to board a bus to Siem Reap province said he was trying this service for the first time after having observed the process for a few years. He is a student sees it beneficial in terms of expenses.
“I am not sure of when I will return to Phnom Penh,” he said. “But I will possibly take the public bus again.”
A total of 255, 976 people, including 68, 557 migrant workers, in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam returned to the country for the New Year as of April 9, according to the General Department of Immigration.
Uth Reaksmey and Top Sovannara contributed to the story.
