Cambodia’s rail network is on track for a boost after the Royal Railway of Cambodia ordered an additional 221 freight trains from China, with the first 60 landing in the KingdomThe Royal Railway of Cambodia has ordered 221 freight trains from China, with the first batch of 60 arriving in the nation on December 1. Experts state that increased use of railway transport benefits the environment by reducing air pollution and reducing the use of trucks. According to a Facebook post from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport on December 2, 60 additional freight trains from China arrived in Sihanoukville on December 1 to boost rail freight services. “This is important in providing rail freight services, and the arrival of these 60 freight trains is the first phase of Royal Railway Cambodia's 221 total orders,” it said, adding that 35 units for the second phase are expected to arrive during the week of December 2 to 3, 2024. In addition, it is followed by another 45 units scheduled for delivery in January 2025, continuing to arrive in the next few months. Chan Sophal, Director of the Centre for Policy Studies, said that if rail transport is less expensive than road transport, it will benefit the owners of goods and make it more competitive in the commerce sector. In addition, he said that if rail transport is widely used, it will also reduce traffic jams caused by too many trucks on the roads. He cited an example of National Road 5 to Battambang. “If there are more [trains], it will save time and improve traffic, making it easier for other transportation on the road as well, because it is now congested,” he said, adding that it will also benefit the environment by reducing air pollution and minimising the usage of trucks. Sophal said that the government has also invested resources into the railway, but it has not been used, resulting in a loss for the government. “To make use of this railway, it will help to restore the venture capital,” he said. On October 14, Prime Minister Hun Manet urged tycoon Kith Meng and the Minister of Public Works and Transport to finish negotiations and sign the Memorandum of Understanding, warning to remove parties involved in the railway construction project if negotiations were not completed by the end of the year.