LRT Jabodetabek to Start its Operation in 2022

President Jokowi observes the progress of LRT project in Jakarta. (Photo taken from Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (9/6) observed the progress of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Jabodetabek project connecting Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi and took part in a trial ride from Harjamukti Station, Cibubur in West Java to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Station, Jakarta.

President Jokowi stated that the progress of the project has reached 85 percent and is scheduled to operate in 2022.

“Today, I come to see the progress of LRT Jabodetabek. The development has already been 84.7 percent completed and it is expected that the public trial will start in April 2022 and the operation in June 2022. The train runs very smoothly, and it is noiseless, comfortable, and fast,” he said in his press statement.

The President said that this project is part of the Government’s efforts to establish an integrated mass transportation system to improve efficiency of a trip from one to other regions.

“We build the LRT system because we want to establish an integrated mass transportation, namely the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), LRT, airport rail, Transjakarta (Buss Rapid Transit) that will improve efficiency of people’s mobility. We hope after this project is completed, the development can be carried on to other areas,” he said.

He went on to say that the car he was rode on is made by state-owned train manufacturer PT INKA and the track was constructed by state-owned construction company PT Adhi Karya. Meanwhile, the operation will be managed by state-owned train operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).

President Jokowi added that the experience in constructing the LRT will become a basis for Indonesia to be involved in the construction of other LRT projects in other countries. In fact, we have exported trains to Bangladesh and the Philippines, and hopefully it will be followed by LRT project.(TGH/UN) (RAS/LW)