Uncertain KRL Fares For The Rich And The Poor, Will It Be Valid This Year?

JAKARTA - The plan to classify KRL (Electric Rail Train) fares based on the purchasing power of passengers, until now, there is no certainty when it will take effect. In fact, the plan to classify KRL tariffs for the rich and the poor has been going on since December 2022.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation Adita Irawati emphasized that currently, the Ministry of Transportation is in discussion with academics to public policy observers regarding tariffs for the rich and the poor.

Regarding whether the tariff for the rich and the poor will be implemented this year, said Adita, it really depends on the completion of a study conducted by the Ministry of Transportation.

"What is clear will be based on the results of the discussion. The study is still underway. So we and several universities, academics, and observers are conducting studies. We have held several meetings, indeed later we have to be careful about this," she told reporters at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, January 18.

In principle, continued Adita, the difference in fares for the rich and the poor is so that the public service obligation (PSO) subsidy in KRL services can be more targeted.

"The current KRL fare has an element of subsidized PSO. So we really have to optimize it so that the subsidy is right on target," she said.

As previously reported, the Director General of Railways, Risal Wasal, said that his party would further discuss with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) regarding the implementation of the KRL tariff policy between the rich and the poor.

"Later on, we will discuss how to have subsidies that are right on target, Mr. President Director, in detail so that it is safe," said Risal at the Ministry of Transportation, Jakarta, Friday, December 30.

Risal explained that the meeting also discussed subsidy management in the event of an excess of funds. Later, said Risal, if there is excess funds from PSO it will be used for other priorities.

"Also later we will discuss it so that it is safe. If there are advantages, where to go? Where do we want to (divert) it, we'll see later. The money is not lost so how to improve service on the railway side," he said.

As is known, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) ensures that KRL rates will not increase in 2023. Even so, there is a change in the system in which the Ministry of Transportation will apply appropriate subsidies.