Electric rail train requirement: SOE Ministry adamant on importing trains
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.
Bisnis Indonesia - Kebutuhan kereta rel listrik: Kementerian BUMN ngotot impor
24 May 2023
By: Lorenzo A. Mahardhika &Hendra Wibawa
Jakarta - The State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry is still choosing to import used commuter line (KRL) trainsets from Japan to revitalise the fleet of PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia.
Special Staff III to SOE Minister Arya Sinulingga said that the option to import used KRL trains from Japan would still be proposed despite the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) not recommending the import.
He said that the SOE Ministry was continuously looking for solutions for Greater Jakarta KRL service users.
PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia or KAI Commuter as the operator of Greater Jakarta KRL and Solo-Yogyakarta KRL needs to replace the trainsets that will be retired in 2023.
On the other hand, domestic KRL train production that will be carried out by PT Industri Kereta Api (Inka) will only be realised in the next two years.
Hence, he affirmed that the import was the most plausible option in the short term.
“Currently, the condition [of domestic KRL trains] is not appropriate, so we are proposing the import option,” he said at the SOE Ministry Office in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/5).
However, Arya did not specifically mention if the plan to import the used KRL trains from Japan will be realised this year, considering the recommendation and the import permit from the technical ministries.
He also did not comment much about the plan as the technical ministries will hold the last meeting soon.
Arya added that his agency has communicated with BPKP on the audit result that the institution issued through several inter-ministry/inter-institution coordination.
“As the regulator, we are not the ones that will make the decision. Regarding the meeting, please ask our friends at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment,” he said.
House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VI Member from Gerindra Fraction Andre Rosiade mentioned that he has met with SOE Deputy Minister II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo on Monday (22/5).
At the meeting, Andre stated that importing used KRL trains from Japan in 2023 could be carried out.
Andre stated that the government would still hold a meeting to ensure the import plan.
On a separate occasion, Transportation Minister Spokesperson Adita Irawati stated that she was supporting the plan to import used KRL trainsets from Japan to anticipate the potential increase in passengers in the future.
Basically, her agency is asking the Greater Jakarta KRL service to remain sustainable, to continue prioritising safety, and to anticipate the increase in passengers in the future.
Adita said that the Transportation Ministry was also waiting for the KRL trainset production process from Inka. Inka’s trainsets are set to be completed in 2025.
“The [KRL train production] process is being handled by PT Kereta Api Indonesia directly,” Adita said when she was contacted on Tuesday (23/5).
Meanwhile, Indonesia Transportation Society (MTI) Railways and Intercity Transportation Forum Chairperson Aditya Dwi Laksana thinks that importing used KRL trainsets from Japan is the most plausible option to maintain the carrying capacity of Greater Jakarta KRL.
He reckoned that importing KRL trains was necessary to maintain the carrying capacity of Greater Jakarta KRL amid the growth in passengers.
Aditya said that other options besides importing, such as retrofitting or adjusting the trip frequency, could be carried out. However, he said that the options would reduce the carrying capacity of Greater Jakarta KRL.
He explained that the retrofitting option would reduce the number of KRL trains operating.
Besides that, the retrofitting option also needs to calculate the availability of KRL train spare parts and ensure the operational feasibility.
Previously, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita chose to follow the study result of BPKP regarding the policy to import used KRL trains.
