"Regarding The Proposal Of Parahyangan Trains To Become Goods Trains," Said The Ministry Of Transportation

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Railways has denied that it will replace Argo Parahyangan's train (KA) function to transport goods.

This long-distance train will still carry passengers even though the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train (KCJB) operates next year.

Acting Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation, Risal Wasal, emphasized that there was no discussion to make Argo Parahyangan train a transportation for goods.

"No, no, it means that if there are fewer (passengers) with that, we can maximize it for the transportation of goods, like that. Not replaced," he said when met at the Ministry of Transportation, Monday, December 12.

Risal also denied that he would delete the Argo Parahyangan train. His party has not planned the abolition of the Argo Parahyangan train. The reason is because the route that is passed is different from the KCJB.

"Nothing, our government has not planned in the near future to stop Argo Parahyangan, not because the route is different," he said.

Furthermore, Risal explained, that the Argo Parahyangan train passes through several areas, even the tourism area. Meanwhile, KCJB only stopped at four points.

"The competition stopped at several points. Meanwhile, the high-speed train only stopped at four points, Halim, Karawang, Padalarang, and Tegalluar. Meanwhile, Argo Parahyangan entered many different areas, there were even tourist areas," he said.

Therefore, said Risal, the Ministry of Transportation has no plans to abolish the operation of the Argo Parahyangan train.

Risal said the market share of Argo Parahyangan and KCJB trains would run respectively.

"This is different, the market share is different, the route is different, the target is different. We don't have to guess, we'll study it first, we'll see the conditions. The important thing is that the first road is Parahyangan, the first way is the Fast Train, we'll see the respective market share," he explained.