Gov’t to Increase Jakarta-Merak Train Speed

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi inspects railway infrastructure in Banten province, Saturday (18/1). (Photo by: Ministry of Transportation).

The Government has announced plan to shorten train travel times from Jakarta to Merak to just two hours.

“We will revamp train rails and increase the speed from Rangkasbitung to Merak via Serang from 40 km per hour to 70 km per hour within two hours travel time,” Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said during the inspection of rail infrastructure in Banten Province, Saturday (18/1).

The Minister went on to say that Directorate General of Railways will change rail type 42 to 54 in order to increase speed and safety as well as stability of the trains.

The Government will also re-operate Rangkasbitung – Labuan railroad to improve transportation connectivity in Banten Province and the use of public transportation.

“The 70 km railroad tracks from Rangkasbitung to Labuan will be available. In the first stage, the 15 km track from Banten city to Pandeglang will be completed by the end of this year and the Government will continue the construction for Labuan railroad in 2021. The railroad is expected to facilitate the people who work in Jakarta,” Minister of Transportation said.

According to Budi, there will be no compensation for land acquisition because the land is a state asset.

“Regarding the railroad reactivation, if there is illegal housing on the rail which is an asset of the Government, we will take control of them. We do not compensate, but we give the amount of compensation which is determined by the Public Appraisal Service Consultant,” he said.

On that occasion, Budi also said that the Government will build Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) to modernize Tenjo station which is located on the border of Bogor Regency and Tangerang Regency.

TOD is expected to become a transportation mode that will accommodate a rapid increase in vehicle generation due to the development of its surrounding areas.

The Minister further said that Bogor regional government supports the development of Tenjo Station and proposes the construction of an underpass at a level crossing.

“We will build this station as big as Maja station. In addition, we will also build a flyover in the Tenjo area. There will be a train passing every five minutes in that area,” Budi added.

The Minister also encouraged regional governments to take part in the TOD construction, considering that it will provide convenience and ease of movement for the people and it is also expected to improve its economic centers.

“I urge regional governments to participate in building TOD near stations. The TOD will consist of residential areas, offices, restaurants, and economic centers so that the movement of people is not too far away. The TOD radius should only one km away,” the Minister said. (KIP Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Proofread by: M. Ersan Pamungkas