PHNOM PENH, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iv Tao, a 50-year-old Cambodian construction worker at Techo International Airport, switched to bus service from motorbike after the Middle East conflict drove up fuel prices, saying that bus travel saves money, and is safe and comfortable.
Tao said riding his motorbike more than 25 km from home in a Phnom Penh slum to the airport cost him about 1.50 U.S. dollars a day for gasoline and risked a road accident, while a round-trip by bus cost only 3,000 riels (0.75 dollar).
"Utilizing public transit has lowered commuting costs for passengers," he told Xinhua on Monday on a bus from the city center to the airport.
"I am 100 percent satisfied with this bus service," he said.
Chuob Sreyleap, a 54-year-old housewife, said she takes the city bus daily from home to the market, noting that commuters have increased in recent months due to rising oil prices.
"I choose to use this city bus service because it reduces our commuting expenses, alleviates traffic congestion, and ensures safety," she told Xinhua while waiting for the bus.
"It is comfortable as the bus is clean and has air conditioning," Sreyleap added.
Retail regular gasoline costs 3,950 riels (0.98 dollars) per liter on Monday, while diesel is priced at 4,100 riels (1.01 dollars), according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director at the China-ASEAN Studies Center of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said taking the city bus offers a reliable and budget-friendly alternative as soaring fuel costs make driving personal vehicles increasingly expensive.
"As the global oil crisis persists, many people are shifting toward using public transport services to reduce expenses," he told Xinhua. "Shifting to city buses is a positive, rational economic choice that reduces traffic congestion and air pollution."
Mengdavid said that by switching to public transit, commuters can significantly lower their daily travel expenses while easing the financial strain caused by unpredictable prices at the pump.
"However, the system still faces structural limitations, including inconsistent frequencies and limited coverage," he said.
"The government should develop a system that improves frequency, coverage, and reliability, while introducing digital services for real-time tracking of bus locations," he added. ■