President Jokowi Tries Out Autonomous Rail Transit in Nusantara Capital

President Jokowi and Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday (08/13) tries out an environmentally friendly transportation mode, the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART), in the Nusantara Capital (IKN), East Kalimantan province. Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday (08/13) tried out an environmentally friendly transportation mode, the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART), in the Nusantara Capital (IKN), East Kalimantan province.

“We aim to ensure that mass transportation in the IKN is powered by green energy. The ART is an electric transportation mode, and it is cost-effective and environmentally friendly,” the President said.

Regarding the readiness of the ART operation for the Independence Day celebration on August 17, President Jokowi confirmed that it is ready to operate.

The President also emphasized the need for other Indonesian cities to explore green energy-based mass transportation, particularly in big cities like Surabaya, Makassar, Medan, and Bandung.

“The cost is around Rp74 billion per unit for the ART. In comparison, the MRT costs Rp2.3 trillion per kilometer, and the LRT costs about Rp700 billion per kilometer. The ART is less expensive because it doesn’t require new rail infrastructure, and it can utilize existing roads,” the President explained.

The President further said that the challenge for implementing ART in other cities is the road access.

“Most cities have roads that are too narrow, which limits the use of ART,” he remarked.

According to a press release from the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN), the ART represents a new technology in land transportation, combining elements of light rail transit (LRT) with autonomous bus system.

The trial of the ART is part of the Government’s initiative to develop the Nusantara Capital as an environmentally friendly city, utilizing advanced technology as a model for other cities in Indonesia. (BPMI Setpres/DNS) (RI/MMB)