President Jokowi: We will Evaluate LRT Jabodebek Operation

President Jokowi, Thursday (08/31), delivers a press statement after the Opening of the HIPMI National Working Meeting, in Tangerang, Banten. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made his statement in response to the technical issues related to Greater Jakarta Light Rail Transit (LRT Jabodebek) upon its inauguration. The President said that this will be evaluated and fixed by the relevant parties.

“There are certainly some imperfections that need corrections. It is true that there are several imperfections, so the evaluation will be conducted by state-owned train manufacturer INKA, evaluation will be conducted by state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI),” said the President in his press statement at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, Tangerang, Banten, Thursday (08/31).

The President highlighted that this is the first time Indonesia has an LRT mode of transportation which is automatic and driverless. The LRT is also a local product that all Indonesian people must try and use.

“I have said early on that this is the first time we have a driverless LRT, everything is operated through an operation control center in Bekasi. So I’d like to repeat once again, that if we don’t have the courage to use a local product, the LRT in this case, then when will we try? When will we have the courage to start?” said the President.

The Head of State went on by mentioning that it took years for the high-speed TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) in France or Shinkansen in Japan to become as they are today. Therefore, the President urged all parties to support local product.

“Japan didn’t just make good cars such as happening today. It took years. Shinkansen also needed tens of years. The same thing happened to TGV. I understand this as I went to see them, to understand the steps. If we have no courage to start, and if every imperfection is bullied, nobody will dare enough to create something,” he said.

For the record, based on the report released by PT KAI, the public enthusiasm for trying the LRT Jabodebek is fairly high since its inauguration. Until the second day, the LRT passenger volume reached 28,925 people. (FID/UN) (AY/MUR)