KAI Commuter Make Sure It Won't Be Imported By Used Trains Again

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) or KAI Commuter has confirmed that they will not import the former electric train (KRL) from abroad. This step is an investment plan carried out by the company in the next few years.

The President Director of KAI Commuter, Asdo Atriviyanto, revealed that it had been decided not to bring in used trains from abroad since 2023. Therefore, KAI Commuter chose to import a number of train sets from a Chinese manufacturer, CRRC Qingdao Sifang.

"In the era of 2023 to 2027, we have prepared investments in several new trains, so we are no longer buying trains that are no longer new," said Asdo when met at Jakarta Kota Station, Tuesday, April 22.

Asdo said that apart from imported KRL from China, KAI Commuter also ordered a number of train series produced domestically by PT Industri Kereta Api (Persero) or INKA.

Furthermore, Asdo said that the KRL is imported and made locally, both of which are made specifically to meet the mobility needs of the community, especially in Jabodetabek.

"We have made a new investment with a longer series with 1 trainset of 12 trains. Hopefully, we can transport the people of Jabodetabek, especially commuter line users, to accommodate even more capacity," said Asdo.

Asdo said the train made by CRRC Sifang and INKA had not yet operated to transport passengers. This is because the fleet still has to go through an assessment from the Ministry of Transportation.

"So this train is not yet operating because it is still in the testing stage and we will wait for certification from the Ministry of Transportation of the Director General of Railways, after testing and we get certification, we will operate it across Jabodetabek," he said.

For information, KRL first operated during the Dutch East Indies administration on April 6, 1925 ago. The routes served include Tanjung Priok-Jatinegara. But now, the Commuter Line KRL network has spread to various buffer cities of DKI Jakarta and the Yogyakarta-Solo route.

A number of locomotives from the first to operating in Indonesia to the latest were displayed at the Jakarta City Station in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the KRL.