Transportation technology needs innovation and regulatory adjustments
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 - Teknologi transportasi butuh inovasi dan penyesuaian regulasi
22 August 2024
By Ichsan Amin
Jakarta, ID – In line the advancement of transportation technologies, especially in the railway sector, the government is continuously addressing the development through innovations and regulatory adjustments to remain relevant with technological advancements.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, when he opened the technical coordination meeting of the Railways Directorate General for 2024 in Jakarta on Tuesday, stated that innovations and regulatory adjustments in the railway sector must be carried out due the development and advancement of transportation technologies.
“We will think about how upcoming innovations as the world is increasingly advanced. What we have built, such as Whoosh and the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART), are new technologies that are not commonly found in other countries. We must prepare the technologies, regulations, and other aspects,” the Transportation Minister said in his press statement on Wednesday (21/8/2024).
Regarding this matter, according to Budi Karya, the Transportation Ministry is currently in an effort to realise mandates from Law Number 23 of 2007 on Railway Affairs to realise an inclusive, open, and competitive railway sector.
“We are continuously studying existing regulations to remain relevant with technological development, we expect to create an ecosystem for the sector’s growth,” he explained.
At this technical coordination meeting themed ’Collaboration and Synergy among the Government, Railway Operators, and the Public towards Quality Services’, the Transportation Minister reminded the importance of collaboration and synergy among stakeholders in addressing challenges in the railway sector.
“We see that we cannot do this alone. We must collaborate and work together to appreciate the operators, Bappenas, Transportation Ministry, and PUPR Ministry as partners. For our friends in regions, approach the public, regional governments, and operators so that what we are doing can be easier. You will enjoy the collaboration when it is established,” the Transportation Minister said.
He appreciates the achievements of the Railways Directorate General in infrastructure development in the last decade. The achievemnets include the double-track railway in South Java, Minangkabau International Airport train, South Sumatra LRT, YIA airport train, Yogyakarta-Solo-Palur electrification, Jabodebek LRT, Makassar-Parepare railway, Lebak Bulus-Bundaran HI MRT, Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, IKN Autonomous Rail Transit (ART), and Ado Soemarmo Airport train in Solo.
“We must be proud of these railway facilities and infrastructure, which are loved by the public. All of this is impossible without the dedication and commitment in carrying out the task. Therefore, I appreciate all efforts made in building the railway sector,” the Transportation Minister mentioned.
Rapidly developing
Domestic railway transportation has been rapidly developing. In less than 5 years, the government has operated the high-speed railway, LRT, MRT, and the ART in IKN.
A transportation observer from Unika Sopegijapranata in Semarang, Djoko Setijowarno, said that the development of railway transportation must be followed by regulations from the government. Popular railway transportation are currently only long-distance trains and the Commuter Line.
“The development is rapid, so it must be supported by regulations so that all parties can be accommodated,” Djoko told Investor Daily.
According to Djoko, generally, all transportation sectors have the same foundation that is regulated by regulations. Each transportation facility must be regulated as the use relates to many people.
“Each transportation facility has an operator and a regulator. So, there is a clear rule of play. In the railway transportation sector, the operator is PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero). The same goes for LRT. So, the adjustment of certain regulations will develop following the advancement of technologies,” he stated.
Djoko said that, regarding railway transportation, there are many things that must be further organised. Moreover, after the ART operates in IKN. Djoko said that the ART is different from existing operating railways. This is because its operation is on the road, not on tracks.
“Until now, the LRT, high-speed railway, and MRT use tracks. Each facility that uses tracks has been regulated in Law Number 3 of 2007. The ART must be adjusted as it uses roads, whereas the regulation on roads belongs to the Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministy,” he said.
On the other hand, the development or the revision of railway regulations refer not only technological development. “The revision of certain regulations cannot rely on technological development alone, but it must be based in the integrity principle,” he added.
Commercially operating by 2025
After initial trial and operation on 17 August 2024, the ART in IKN will operate for in IKN for free. The ART will conduct commercial operation in early 2025. The government is currently preparing a tender.
Railways Director General of the Transportation Ministry Risal wasal said that the tender is prepared early so that commercial operation will align with the commercial operation date. “Our target is earlier than the middle of 2025. In the early stage, the operation will be free from 17 August. The operation will be carried out by the factory side from China,” Risal said recently.
Risal said that the free operation will continue until December 2024. The tender can be participated by business entities, but they can cooperate with other parties. “We do not know who will participate in the tender. However, we will hold a tender to conduct commercial operation in early 2025,” he added.
Currently, there are two lines prepared in IKN that consist of three carriages each. The operation of the ART will use batteries with road markings and magnets. This is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, so it is in line with the concept and principle of IKN as a smart, green, and sustainable city.
The transportation regulator, the Transportation Ministry, will make autonomous vehicles the main pillar in future transportation systems. Transportation Minister Budi Karya said that all parties must prepare themselves to utilise this mode of mass transportation.
The Transportation Ministry is currently developing a regulation on the ART, which covers its facilities and infrastructure, traffic management, human resources, and financing. For now, the regulation on autonomous transportation has been outlined in Law Number 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation.
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