Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol and representatives from China Road and Bridge Corp (CRBC) and its parent company, the state-owned China Communications Construction Co Ltd (CCCC), met on June 24 for talks on results of the firms’ preliminary study on a potential metro or monorail in the capital as an option to reduce traffic congestion and accidents.

Chanthol briefed the representatives on a government analysis on requirements for such a public transportation system.

Afterwards, the company experts presented details on feasible subway and monorail lines – which they indicated would connect most major areas, especially those with high population densities – and other research results.

The study compared details of both proposals, including construction cost and duration as well as operational and maintenance costs.

The minister called on the CRBC to conduct an in-depth study that covers other aspects that have yet to be rigorously examined, to ensure optimal performance of any metro or monorail system built.