LRT arrives, President expects people to enthusiastically switch to mass transportation
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - LRT hadir, Presiden berharap masyarakat antusias beralih ke angkutan massal
29 August 2023
By: Amrozi Amenan & Tri Murti
Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hopes that mass transportation that is increasingly varied can increase the enthusiasm of the people to shift from private vehicles to mass transportation to reduce traffic jams and air pollution. The President inaugurated Jabodebek Light Rail Transit (LRT) on Monday (28/8/2023) to add to the number of mass transportation in Jakarta and its surroundings, which include Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Commuter Line (KRL), TransJakarta, and Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train.
The President revealed that DKI Jakarta was always in the list of the top 10 cities with the worst traffic jams. He also mentioned that, every day, 996,000 vehicles entered Jakarta, which cause traffic jams and pollution.
“Traffic jams and pollution are always around in Jakarta. Hence, MRT, LRT, KRL, TransJakarta, BRT, and the airport train were constructed. So, our people can shift from private vehicles to mass transportation,“ President Jokowi said when he inaugurated Jabodebek LRT at Cawang LRT Station in East Jakarta on Monday (28/8/2023).
During the inauguration of Jabodebek LRT, President Jokowi was accompanied by several ministers, namely Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir, and Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.
The President admitted that it was not easy to encourage the people to shift to public transportation to reduce traffic jams and air pollution. For example, he mentioned that the occupancy of Jakarta MRT was still far below expectations. However, he hopes that Jabodebek LRT can encourage the people to shift from private vehicles to mass transportation.
“It is not easy. For example, MRT. Even though I see that it is full every day, the capacity that we want is 180,000 passengers. However, today, it is still at 80,000 passengers. There is still an empty capacity,” he explained.
Next, Jabodebek LRT is expected to increase the people’s enthusiasm to use mass transportation.
“Today, alhamdulillah (praise be to God), the LRT is ready to operate. From Harjamukti to Cibubur as well as from Bekasi to Jakarta spanning 41.2 km. It costs Rp32.6 trillion. We hope that the people will flock to the LRT from Cibubur, Bekasi, and surrounding areas. So, traffic jams can be avoided and pollution can be reduced,” the President stated.
Extraordinary solution
During the occasion, State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir said that Jabodebek LRT was an extraordinary solution in the transportation sector. Traffic jams in Bogor, Bekasi, and Tangerang are making Jakarta’s traffic jams worse.
“So, the LRT will reduce private vehicles. So, it can help. Moreover, pollution is also high,” he stated.
Erick said that the reduction of pollution and traffic congestion needed to be supported by all parties.
“Our participation is required to use public transportation,” he added.
Furthermore, Erick revealed that the LRT was an advanced technology. A driverless train is an advanced technology that can be used for public transportation.
“I think that the people are still nervous. However, it is what we expect. Yesterday, the systems were synchronised to prioritise passenger safety. The technology is driverless, but it does not mean that it is not safe,” he said.
Erick affirmed that public transportation was currently the priority, including its supporting facilities.
“Yes, public transportation is the priority today. MRT, LRT, and other supporting facilities must be improved as [Jakarta] is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of its population. Yes, public facilities must be prioritised,” he affirmed.
Erick added that the LRT was an advanced technology that will facilitate the activities of the people. According to him, even though it is driverless, the transportation is safe.
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