Cambodia is deploying 600 free buses to help people travel during the Pchum Ben Festival, with approximately 100 buses operating within Phnom Penh and another 500 serving routes between the capital and the provinces from October 9 to 13, 2026. The government’s annual transport initiative aims to reduce travel expenses for people returning to their hometowns to reunite with family during one of Cambodia’s most important religious festivals.
According to the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP), travellers began gathering at bus stops across Phnom Penh early on October 9 to use the free public transport services. The festival’s main holiday period runs from October 10 to 12 this year.
Key Facts About Cambodia’s Free Pchum Ben Bus Services
Total buses deployed: Approximately 600.
Buses operating within Phnom Penh: Around 100.
Buses serving interprovincial routes: Around 500.
Service period: October 9–13, 2026.
Purpose: Reduce travel expenses during the Pchum Ben holiday.
Festival dates: October 10–12, 2026.
Officials present: Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour and Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng.
Reported departure location: Russey Keo Public Park, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh.
Government Deploys Free Buses Ahead of Pchum Ben
The free transport services began as people living, working and studying in Phnom Penh prepared to return to their hometowns for the annual Pchum Ben Festival.
On the morning of October 9, many passengers gathered at public bus stops throughout the capital to board buses provided free of charge by the Royal Government.
Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour and Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng, accompanied by colleagues, attended a send-off for travellers at a bus stop at Russey Keo Public Park in Khan Russey Keo.
The deployment is intended to help passengers travel during the busy holiday period while reducing the cost of journeys between the capital and provincial communities.
600 Buses Serve Phnom Penh and Provincial Routes
The government’s transport arrangement includes two main service categories.
| Service category | Number of buses | Operating period |
|---|---|---|
| Public transport within Phnom Penh | Around 100 | October 9–13, 2026 |
| Routes between Phnom Penh and the provinces | Around 500 | October 9–13, 2026 |
| Total | Around 600 | October 9–13, 2026 |
The 500 buses serving routes between Phnom Penh and the provinces are intended to facilitate travel for people returning home for the holiday. The additional 100 buses provide free transport within the capital.
The source report does not provide a detailed route list, departure timetable, individual provincial allocations or passenger capacity. Travellers should consult official announcements for information about specific boarding locations and destinations.
Pchum Ben Brings Families Together Across Cambodia
Pchum Ben, also known as the Festival of the Dead, is one of Cambodia’s major annual religious and cultural observances.
During the festival period, many Cambodians return to their hometowns to reunite with family members, visit pagodas and participate in religious traditions associated with honouring deceased relatives and ancestors.
The holiday also brings increased domestic travel as people visit tourist destinations and take part in recreational activities.
For workers and students living away from their home provinces, transport costs can become an important consideration during this period. The government’s free bus programme is intended to ease that expense and make travel more accessible.
How Free Transport Can Support Holiday Travel
The deployment of buses during Pchum Ben addresses a practical challenge associated with large-scale holiday movement: helping people travel between urban centres and provincial communities.
For households, free transport can reduce the direct cost of travelling home. Within Phnom Penh, the additional public buses also provide a transport option for residents moving around the capital during the holiday period.
The service may also help facilitate visits to pagodas and tourist destinations, although the source report does not quantify expected passenger numbers or provide an assessment of the programme’s economic impact.
Travellers should verify official service information before departure, particularly if they need to reach a specific province or travel at a particular time.
Angkor Times Analysis: Why Holiday Transport Matters?
Cambodia’s free Pchum Ben bus programme highlights the importance of transport access during major national festivals.
For many families, the holiday involves travelling across provincial boundaries to reconnect with relatives and participate in religious observances. Reducing transport expenses can help households manage the additional costs associated with holiday travel.
The programme also illustrates the role of public transport in supporting domestic mobility during periods of concentrated demand. Its practical effectiveness will depend on route coverage, departure arrangements, passenger capacity and the ability to provide reliable services throughout the five-day operating period.
For travellers, the most important consideration is to confirm where buses depart, which destinations are served and whether advance arrangements are required. The available AKP report confirms the overall deployment and dates but does not provide those operational details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are Cambodia’s free Pchum Ben bus services operating?
The services are scheduled to operate from October 9 to 13, 2026.
2. How many free buses are being deployed?
Approximately 600 buses are being used: around 100 for services within Phnom Penh and 500 for routes between the capital and the provinces.
3. Are the buses free?
Yes. The Royal Government is providing the reported bus services free of charge during the specified holiday period.
4. When is Pchum Ben in 2026?
The source report identifies October 10–12, 2026, as the festival period, while the bus services operate from October 9–13.
5. Who attended the send-off event in Phnom Penh?
Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour and Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng attended the event at Russey Keo Public Park in Khan Russey Keo.
6. Where can travellers find bus routes and departure times?
The source report does not provide a complete route list or timetable. Travellers should check official government or Phnom Penh public transport announcements for the latest operational details.