The first high-speed train in Southeast Asia owned by Indonesia will start operating soon. Currently, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) will speed up the testing.
Currently, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is carrying out several government-assigned projects such as the Jabodebek Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Jakarta–Bandung Fast Train which are included in the National Strategic Project (PNS).
KAI’s VP of Public Relations Joni Martinus said that currently, the work progress of the Jabodebek LRT project has reached 84.48 percent. The target is that the Jabodebek LRT will launch in 2023.
Meanwhile, the physical progress of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train has reached 76.48 percent with investment progress reaching 85.61 percent.
Joni admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic affected the achievement of the completion target of the two projects. As is known, the Jabodebek LRT was previously targeted to launch in August 2022, while the Fast Train was originally intended to launch in 2019 and was delayed to 2023.
“Direct monitoring and supervision are still being carried out, testing processes are also encouraged to be accelerated,” said Joni in a press release, Thursday (18/8/2022).
To support the smooth running of the two projects, KAI formed a Project Management Officer (PMO) who monitors the sustainability and smooth running of the project as a whole.
In addition to the Jabodebek LRT and the Fast Train, KAI will operate trains in South Sulawesi (Makassar–Parepare). Currently, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) is building a track for the railway project.
The plan is that the Makassar–Parepare train will be used to transport passengers and goods. KAI hopes that the development of rail transportation can facilitate community mobility.
“This progress is expected to not only increase the volume of transportation but also provide real benefits for the community which will also have an impact on the progress of the nation,” said Joni.
Furthermore, KAI and its subsidiaries are also recorded as re-operating or activating several railway lines that have not been operating for a long time.
For example, the Cibatu–Garut railway line, stopped operating in 1983 and cooperated with three state-owned enterprises to activate the Sawahlunto–Muara Kalaban railway line in early 2023.
Not only that, but KAI is also developing Manggarai Station to become the first central station in Indonesia. Later, after the development of Manggarai is completed, the target for the Jabodetabek KRL passengers is 2 million people per day.
the Jakarta – Bandung High-Speed Rail (KCJB) will adopt high technology, namely Grade of Automation (GOA) Level 1.
The acceleration or speed of the train can reach 350 km/hour with that technology and design. Later, KCJB will also serve as many as 68 trips per day and stop at five stations.