Minister of Transportation: Palembang LRT to Operate Early July

Minister of Transportation attends the Handover Ceremony of Train Set for South Sumatra LRT at Boom Baru Port, Palembang, Friday (20/4). (Photo: Ministry of Transportation)

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said the progress of Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Palembang, South Sumatra has been running as planned.

Therefore, Budi requested the operation of Palembang LRT to be accelerated.

“I am very excited that this train set is already here – in Palembang. It means the LRT progress goes according to plan. We even take an initiative to finish the construction in early July, sooner than expected in mid-July” said Budi when he attended Handover Ceremony of Train Set for South Sumatra LRT, at Boom Baru Port, Palembang, on Friday (20/4).

The train set which produced by PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA) Madiun will undergo several tests, such as static test, dynamic test and the real test to review its performance when operated.

Director General of Railways of Ministry of Transportation Zulfikri who attended the event added that the progress of physical development has reached 89.1%.

“The realization of physical progress of the LRT project that spans along 23.4 km, until today 20 April 2018, has reached 89.1%. This condition exceeds initial target that should be 84%,” said Zulfikri.

In addition to supporting the 2018 Asian Games, a grand event to be held next August, the operation of LRT is also expected to be beneficial for the people of Palembang, especially to solve the congestion problem.

“We are concerned that LRT can be beneficial to the people. We hope LRT can solve the congestion problem especially to and from the airport. We shall set fares as low as possible so that people of Palembang can use this anytime – not only weekend,” said Minister Budi.

Also attending the event were Director General of Railways of Ministry of Transportation Zulfikri, Governor of South Sumatra Alex Noerdin, Acting Mayor of Palembang Akhmad Najib, Chairman of Commission VI of the House of Representatives Hafisz Tohir, and Chairman of INASGOC (Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee) Erick Tohir. (Public Relation Division of Ministry of Transportation / ES) (STU/MMB/Naster)