On August 17, 2023, Indonesia celebrated its 78th Independence Day anniversary, themed “Moving Forward for an Advanced Indonesia,” that invites all national elements to jointly move forward to continue development with collaboration and synergy.One of the forms of developmental efforts is transportation infrastructure development that is aimed at boosting connectivity. Hence, to commemorate the country’s Independence Day, the Ministry of Transportation raised the theme of “Transportation Moving Forward, Connecting Indonesia.” The various transportation infrastructure developments will not only increase the nation’s competitiveness and support Indonesia to be at par with developed countries but will also increase the safety, security, and convenience of people in transportation. Moreover, it will realize the goal of connecting regions in Indonesia. For the Transportation Ministry, reliable, efficient, and competitive transportation has a positive impact on the community’s mobility and economic growth. One of the forms of public transportation that will officially operate in the near future in Indonesia is the Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Bekasi Light Rail Transit (Jabodebek LRT). The Jabodebek LRT is one of the national strategic projects for the development of urban mass transportation. This infrastructure was built to reduce the level of congestion in Jakarta and the surrounding cities, such as Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi. The LRT trains are produced by state-owned train manufacturer PT INKA Persero and the LRT infrastructure construction is handled by state-owned construction company PT Adhi Karya Persero Tbk (ADHI). The project’s domestic component level is over 60 percent. The Jabodebek LRT applies more advanced technology as compared to the Jakarta MRT and South Sumatra LRT, namely Grade of Automation (GoA) Level 3. The technology enables the trains to be operated without a driver and regulates the distance between trains to be closer while constantly maintaining a safe distance. For phase 1, the Jabodebek LRT will serve three lines, with a total distance of 41.184 km, consisting of Cawang-Cibubur (14.524 km), Cawang-Dukuh Atas (9.253 km), and Cawang-East Bekasi (17.407 km). There are a total of 18 stations from the three lines. For phase 2, three additional lines will be opened, with a total distance of 39 km and eight stations. The three lines are Dukuh Atas-Senayan, Cibubur-Bogor, and Palmerah-Grogol. The Jabodebek LRT is also integrated with other transportation modes, namely TransJakarta (buses) and JakLingko (public minivans), Trans Patriot (buses), KRL Commuterline (commuter rail), Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train, and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. series of tests has been conducted since 2022 and been more intensive in May 2023. The limited trial operation of the Jabodebek LRT is being conducted from July 12 until August 2023. Enhancement President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also test rode the Jabodebek LRT four times, with the latest one taken on Thursday (August 10), during which he invited influencers and celebrities to test ride the Jabodebek LRT from Jati Mulya Station to Dukuh Atas Station. President Jokowi emphasized that the government will make corrections in the event of any deficiencies uncovered in the Jabodebek LRT project. ll parties are reminded to not immediately expect the LRT to be a perfect project, as the system and other technical improvements would be conducted. The government will ensure the safety and comfort of people while riding the LRT to become the central aspect. Currently, the Ministry of Transportation is enhancing the comfort aspects of the Jabodebek LRT, both in terms of acceleration and braking, before it officially operates for commercial purposes. Currently, the latest signaling software is being updated, which can increase comfort for travelers on the train as well as improve the traction control unit (TCU) software that can improve alignment with the infrastructure. The closest target is to carry out the operational trial process again soon to obtain inputs from the community. The safety aspect is also a matter of concern before the Jabodebek LRT officially operates commercially. Tests have been conducted on a daily basis by the Ministry of Transportation team through the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) along with state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI and all related parties. Fares The Ministry of Transportation has formulated the provision of subsidies for the Jabodebek LRT fares by taking into account the community’s purchasing power to draw them to shift to mass transportation. The calculation of the Jabodebek LRT fares is included in Transportation Minister’s Regulation Number PM 25 of 2023 on the Jabodebek Integrated Light Rail Transit (LRT) that was stipulated on June 8, 2023. Moreover, subsidized fares have been regulated through Transportation Minister’s Decree Number KM 67 of 2023 on Fares for People Transport by the Jabodebek Integrated Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Carry out Public Service Obligations, stipulated on July 14, 2023. The ministry’s Director General of Railways, Risal Wasal, explained that several studies were conducted in calculating the fares, namely people’s ability to pay (ATP) and willingness to pay (WTP), the fares of other modes of transportation as a comparison, and the operational cost of the operator. Based on those studies, the Transportation Minister’s Decree regulated that the fare of Jabodebek LRT is set at Rp5,000 (US$0.33) for the first kilometer and Rp700 (US$0.046) for the following kilometer. For comparison, for the Dukuh Atas Station-Jatimulya Station route, with a length of 28 kilometers, the fare proposed by the operator is Rp37,265 (US$2.43). Meanwhile, after it is subsidized, the fare is Rp23,900 (US$1.56). The Ministry of Transportation is also proposing several schemes for providing promotional fares in commemoration of the 78th Independence Day Anniversary. If the proposal is approved, it will be implemented on the Jabodebek LRT’s commercial operations date, targeted at August-end of 2023. There are two discount schemes proposed: providing a discount of 78 percent and setting the longest distance fare at only Rp20,000 (US$1.30). The discounted fares are still in the concept formulation stage, both the amount and time of implementation as well as the formulation of the regulation, which will serve as a legal basis for implementing the promotional fares. With increasingly more number of people using mass transportation, it is believed that it will help to reduce the level of traffic congestion and air pollution, especially in urban agglomerations, such as Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek). The start of LRT Jabodebek’s operations will become a gift for Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day Anniversary. The community is expected to make the most of the facilities provided by the government as a form of its presence in meeting the needs of people, especially in the field of transportation.
Source: Antara News Agency