President Jokowi Inaugurates Indonesia’s First MRT

President Jokowi inaugurates the operation of MRT at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Jakarta, Sunday (24/3). (Photo by: Jay/PR).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Sunday (24/3) officially inaugurated the country’s first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line at Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

In his remarks, the President said that the operation of MRT Jakarta marked the dawn of a new era in Jakarta and also called on the public to adapt to new culture of mass transportation.

“Please keep the MRT and the station area clean,” he said.

For the record, the first 15.7 kilometer-line stretches from central Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta to Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta with 13 stations available along the line. The line aims to cut travel times between the two points to just 30 minutes from about two hours.

In the past twelve days, the public has been enjoying the MRT’s trial run for free, which will run until next Sunday. The commercial operations will start on April 1. To date, the fares have yet to be set.

President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the inauguration of MRT operational ceremony in HI traffic circle, Jakarta, Sunday (24/3). (Photo by: Jay /PR).

On that occasion, the President also laid the cornerstone of the second phase of MRT Jakarta which will span 7.8 kilometers, connecting the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to Kota Station in West Jakarta. The project is expected to be completed by 2024.

“This year, I order Jakarta Governor to start the construction of the east-west line,” the President said.

The Government is hoping to reduce traffic congestion in Greater Jakarta, which costs an estimated Rp65 trillion (US$4.54 billion) in annual losses by creating an integrated public transportation system that includes the MRT, the light rapid transit (LRT) system, Transjakarta and the airport train.

The President also expressed hope that the Light Rail Transit (LRT) will be connected mainly from Depok, Bekasi, to Jakarta at the end of this year.

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas