President Prabowo: Railways Must Serve as Driver of People’s Economy, Equitable Development

President Prabowo Subianto, Thursday (07/30), inaugurated the revitalized Semarang Tawang Station in Central Java province, where he underscored the strategic role of railways as an affordable mode of transportation and logistics as well as a driver of equitable economic development. Consequently, he emphasized that railway services must be continually developed with the aim of providing maximum benefits for the public.

The President also highlighted that, despite modern advancements, railways remain essential, particularly for lower-income communities.

“Railways are a cost-effective logistics instrument. They benefit people, especially those in lower-income communities. Railways are an instrument of the people’s economy. They are the true instrument of economic democratization,” the President said.

The President further emphasized that railway services should not be driven solely by profit. As part of the public service, they must be managed efficiently while continuing to reach communities across different regions, including smaller cities.

“Railways must serve the people. In many countries, they are regarded as a public service rather than being driven solely by profit. At the same time, they must be managed efficiently so that railway services can continue to support lower-income communities and reach smaller cities. There is often a dilemma. As we pursue high-speed rail, we find that smaller cities are no longer adequately served,” the President said.

Accordingly, the President ordered state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) to formulate a comprehensive and integrated railway service development plan. He emphasized that modernization and the adoption of technology must remain focused on the fundamental goal of improving public services.

“Kereta Api Indonesia must think comprehensively. We are pursuing modernization and embracing technology, but we must remember that technology and all supporting infrastructure exist to serve the people. This is my message to Kereta Api Indonesia. We must invest more in our railway sector,” the President added.

In addition to service improvements and investment, the President also highlighted the importance of railway safety. He called for railway crossings to be equipped with adequate safety systems to reduce the risk of accidents.

“All railway crossings, I understand there are still thousands of them, must be equipped with proper crossing gates, perhaps even automated ones, to help prevent accidents across the country,” the President said.

President Prabowo expressed hope that the development of the railway sector would continue to accelerate, guided by the principles of safety, efficiency, affordability, and equitable access to services. As the railway network becomes more modern and extends to more regions, he said, it is expected to serve not only as a reliable mode of transportation but also as a driver of national economic growth, with its benefits reaching even the most remote parts of the country. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/TM)