Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (1st L) is greeted by cyclo drivers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 13, 2018. (Photo: Xinhua)Phnom Penh (VNA) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on January 14 hosted a meetingwith 308 cyclo drivers for the first time and launched a Cyclo Foundation.
Cyclo is athree-wheeled bicycle-propelled rickshaw that the driver perches on high abovethe rear wheel, and the passengers in a bucket seat slung between the two frontwheels.
It used to be apopular means of transport during the French colonial rule about a century agoin Cambodia, but it's now on the brink of disappearance since people havechosen to travel by other modern and faster means such as taxi and motorizedrickshaws.
The PM encouragedlocal authorities to pay attention to conserving cyclos and called on touristsand passengers to ride them, saying that riding cyclos would help reduceenvironmental pollution.
In history, lateKing Norodom Sihanouk, when he ruled the country, considered cyclos as aCambodia's national identity and called for cyclo conservation, he said.
Previously, therewere more than 10,000 cyclos, now the number has dropped to more than 300,noted the PM.
Meanwhile, helaunched the Cyclo Foundation to support cyclo operators and he made the firstdonation of 125,000 USD to the foundation and pledged another 240,000 USD everyyear.
All cyclo driverswould receive 7,000 riel (1.75 USD) a day from the foundation, he said, addingthat they would also receive free medical checkups and treatment at all Statehospitals, he suggested.-VNA
VNA
