Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 1 - Prime Mnister Hun Sen on Wednesday announced free acess to newly lauched boat taxi from Russei Keo district to Takhmao city and train route from Banteay Meanchey to Phnom Penh, effective from today until the end of 2018.

The announcement was made at the inauguration of boat taxi station at Phnom Penh's Russei Keo district, his first public appear after the 6th National Assembly members election on 29 July 2018.

The Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Public Works has established land, air, waterway, and rail transport systems to promote the livelihoods of people and boost transportation efficiency in terms of price and time.

Ministry of Public Works and Transport has temporarily launched four taxi boats for free from 6 April, 2018 until 1 August, 2018. Each boat could accommodate up to 54-60 passengers. The service starts from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm. The boat speeds 40 km per hour; takes less than an hour from Russei Keo to Takhmao city, twice timely effective compared to traveling on road.

As of 23 July 2018, approximately 30,600 passengers have accessed the boat taxi with an average of 200 passengers per day.

The government has spent $590,000 of the national budget to build the 968 square meters-Russei Keo deck and another four stations including Old Market, Chaktomuk, Chbar Ampov, and Takhmao that add up to $1.5 million in total.

People can also access the 386-kilometer Phnom Penh-Poipet (Cambodia-Thai Border) railway for free like the boat taxi.

The railroad link was completed in 1942 but destroyed in the 1970s during the Cambodian civil war.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said that the restoration of the Phnom Penh-Poipet costs about $96.6 million, of which, approximately $13 million is financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB), and $ 83.6 million by the government's budget.