The Joko Widodo administration has consistently placed transportation development at the heart of its agenda, alongside the expansive infrastructure projects undertaken in recent years. Despite notable progress, the nation continues to face significant hurdles in advancing its transportation sector.
Budi Karya Sumadi, Indonesia’s Minister of Transportation, highlighted several ongoing challenges in the nation’s transport landscape. Among them are the limited availability of airplanes and the unequal distribution of urban mass transportation systems.
In response, Budi Karya emphasized that the Ministry of Transportation would prioritize the development of air, sea, and land transport systems. He underscored the need for improvement in the aviation sector, particularly by expanding the number of aircraft to meet growing demands.
“One of our major tasks is increasing the number of planes in the country. We are working closely with airline companies to ensure a sufficient fleet to accommodate the rising demand,” Budi Karya said.
On the maritime front, the minister outlined plans to enhance shipping routes from Eastern to Western Indonesia. This is part of a broader strategy to balance the flow of goods, which has long favored shipments from the West to the East.
“For maritime transport, we must continue improving, even though programs like the sea toll and pioneer routes have made good progress. We must ensure that the flow of goods goes in both directions—West to East and East to West. We also need to stimulate productivity in Eastern Indonesia,” Budi Karya explained during a media briefing on Friday (6/9/2024).
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Urban transportation, another key focus for the Ministry, has seen advances, yet challenges remain. Budi Karya pointed out that the Ministry’s responsibility includes introducing modern transportation alternatives to cities beyond the Greater Jakarta area. He stressed the importance of expanding innovative systems to other major cities such as Surabaya, Makassar, Denpasar, Palembang, and Medan.
“We are working to implement modern transportation solutions in several cities across Indonesia. These systems are essential to meeting the growing needs of urban populations,” he added.
The Ministry of Transportation has reported the completion of 45 National Strategic Projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of 193 ports across Indonesia. These developments are seen as critical steps toward improving the nation’s connectivity and logistical capabilities.
In addition, the Ministry has overseen the construction and rehabilitation of 91 airports across the archipelago, along with the development of 157 new terminal facilities.
As for the railway sector, Budi Karya revealed that the Ministry had successfully launched 80 railway development programs aimed at increasing efficiency. He also highlighted the introduction of new, eco-friendly, and integrated transportation systems. These include the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Whoosh, and the newly introduced Autonomous Rail Transit (ART), which has already begun operating in the nation’s new capital, Nusantara.
These advancements, according to Budi, represent a significant step toward creating a more sustainable and efficient transport network across Indonesia. “We are committed to providing modern, environmentally-friendly, and convenient transportation options that serve the needs of the public,” he concluded.
