Gov’t Proposes MRT Fare at Rp8,500 – Rp10,000

Vice President Jusuf Kalla accompanied by Minister of Transportation and Jakarta Governor tries out Jakarta MRT from Hotel Indonesia Roundabout Station to Lebak Bulus Station, Thursday (20/2). (Photo: PR of Ministry of Transportation)

The Government has proposed fare for Jakarta MRT phase I, which will be inaugurated by President Joko Widodo next month, from Rp8,500-Rp10,000, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi has said.

However, Budi explained that the Jakarta Provincial Government is the authorized party who can determine the fare. “It depends on their calculation; how much they are willing to allocate for subsidies,” the Minister said after accompanying Vice President Jusuf Kalla to try Jakarta MRT Phase I from Hotel Indonesia Roundabout to Lebak Bulus on Wednesday (20/2).

Regarding the construction of Jakarta MRT Phase IIA from Hotel Indonesia Roundabout to Kota Station, Budi said that the groundbreaking is slated in March this year; while for the Phase IIB which connects Kota Station to Ancol still needs further feasibility study. “The MRT Phase II is expected to be completed by 2024,” he said.

For the record, Vice President Jusuf Kalla previously stated that public transportation fare must be affordable to attract the people to use mass transportation. Otherwise, he added, the people will choose taxis or even private cars and consequently it will fail to ease congestion.

“Mass transportations are generally subsidized by the Government, except taxis,” Kalla said, adding that subsidies will bring direct benefits for the people and the Government in the long run.

“The loan for the MRT project is spanning for 40 years and I am quite confident that the project will be economically profitable,” Kalla added.

The Vice President also said that the MRT is considered as the best transportation since it is comfortable, safe and on time.

The Jakarta’s newest mode of transportation is also claimed to be disability-friendly as it is equipped with special disability toilets, tactile blocks, wheelchair spaces, same-floor train platforms, as well as elevators in all stations. (PR of Ministry of Transportation/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas