Cambodia: The Story Behind the Website

City Bus App

By: Sokha Ropiin & Oueng Sokim

Screenshot of City Bus app from App store.

Since September 2014, Cambodia has been operating city buses to enhance public transportation in Phnom Penh. However, using the city buses has been frustrating due to long wait times and the lack of real-time information on bus arrivals and routes.

The “Stops Near Me Phnom Penh Bus” app was created by Ms. Plong Malypoeur, who graduated in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and worked as a teaching assistant and researcher at KU Leuven in Belgium. She developed the app due to her experience with the lack of information available for city bus users.

In an interview with Khmer Times, Ms. Malypoeur stated, “After coming back from Belgium, some friends and I took a public bus ride. Before we left, I tried to find information about the bus route, but there was a lack of details. To find out where to catch the bus, I had to ask many people just to find the location.”

Within a month, Ms. Malypoeur and her friends created the “Stops Near Me Phnom Penh Bus” app, which was downloaded by 20,000 users, according to a Khmer Times report (Seeing lack of info on bus routes, IT expert developed her own mobile app – Khmer Times). The app shows the nearest bus stop, allows passengers to locate buses, and estimates arrival times. When the bus is about 200 meters away approaching the bus stop, the app notifies the user.

“Stops Near Me Phnom Penh Bus” provided users with clear information for their travels and allowed new travelers and tourists to experience the city bus in Phnom Penh. Over the years, the number of users has increased, making it easier for the residents and tourists to use public transportation.

The government has supported the application, and in July 2019, Phnom Penh City Hall, in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launched the “City Bus” app, enhancing it with GPS tracking for better travel information.

Google; City Bus App route-map 2018

Today, 235 buses operate across 13 routes, serving 904 bus stops. With the help of the City Bus app, public transportation has become more convenient, offering clear information about time and direction for passengers.

Travelers can pay bus fares with Wing Bank, ACLEDA cards and cash, with fares set at KHR1,500 (US$0.37) per passenger, irrespective of distance. Senior citizens (over 70), young children (under 1 meter), the disabled, monks, teachers, and students travel for free with valid identification.

Google; City Bus approaching the bus stop, 200mt alert.

Screenshot of City Bus App, bus-tracking and the bus-stops

Rim Sopanha, a university student at Royal University, said, ” The application is useful to me since I use the bus often. It reduces waiting time, otherwise it is hard to know when the bus is arriving. Within the app I am specifically interested in the designation of the bus and bus stop that appears on the route lines. It is easy for me to estimate the time when to come to the bus stop or find the nearest one.”

Nuon Moniroth, another student at Royal University, acknowledged the app’s usefulness but noted challenges such as internet connectivity issues and occasional tracking inaccuracies. Moniroth hopes the developers will address these issues to improve the app’s functionality. “I suggest the government smooth out the application system, expand coverage, and increase the number of buses to meet demand.”

Mr. So Sok Chea, a regular bus rider, shared his frustrations about the app’s unreliability. “I’ve been using the buses since one or two years before COVID-19. When the app launched, it made things easier. But when it malfunctions, it’s hard to plan, and I end up waiting 30 minutes to an hour.”

Overall, a significant step in enhancing urban mobility. This follows the success of the City Bus app, which allows real-time bus tracking.

As the city continues to embrace digital transformation, the Phnom Penh City Bus Authority invites all citizens to utilize this innovative service, making public transport a smarter and more accessible choice for all.