President Jokowi Launches TBM for MRT Jakarta Phase 2A

President Jokowi launches tunnel boring machine (TBM) of Jakarta MRT Phase 2A at Bundaran HI MRT Station in Jakarta, Thursday (02/24). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (02/24) launched the tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Phase 2A at Bundaran HI MRT Station.

Jakarta MRT Phase 2A is currently under construction, continuing MRT Phase 1 that has been operating since 2019.

“We are aware that in 2019, the construction was completed and Phase 1 operates from Lebak Bulus to Bundaran HI. And today, we will begin [the construction of MRT that will operate] from Bundaran HI to the Old Town,” the President said.

The Head of State also pointed out that MRT Phase 2A consists of seven stations covering two segments, adding that the first segment extends from Bundaran HI Station to Harmoni Station and the second segment extends from Harmoni Station to Old Town Station.

“There are seven stations that will be passed through: Thamrin Station, Monas Station, Harmoni Station, Sawah Besar Station, Mangga Besar Station, then Glodok Station, and Old Town Station,” he said.

On that occasion, the President also ordered that the feasibility study (FS) for East-West Line be immediately completed so that Special Capital Region of Jakarta has a modern and integrated transportation.

“Do immediately complete the FS of the route from Fatmawati to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah and execute it. Therefore, Special Capital Region of Jakarta will have a subway, an MRT, an LRT, TransJakarta [BRT] that are integrated with all available [transportation] modes,” he said, while expressing hope that Jakarta MRT route construction will continue to Phase 2B and so on.

“We hope that with the continuation to Phase 2A, it can also be continued to Phase 2B from Old Town to West Ancol,” he said.

Echoing a similar sentiment, President Director of PT MRT Jakarta William Sabandar expressed hope that MRT public transportation can facilitate public mobility and reduce pollution in the city.

“We hope that there will be fewer passengers stuck in Jakarta’s traffic jam [and] more people will use public transportation so Jakarta will certainly be on its way to become a city that is free of pollution,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/EP)