Observer: Construction Of Fast Trains To Surabaya Is Not An Urgent Need

JAKARTA - Soegijapranata Catholic University academic and Deputy Chair of the Empowerment and Development of the Central Indonesian Transportation Society Region (MTI), Djoko Setijowarno, assessed that the plan to build a high-speed train to Surabaya was not an urgent need.

According to Djoko, the plan to extend the fast train route to Surabaya needs to be reviewed thoroughly.

He also reminded the government not to rush into expanding the project without an in-depth evaluation of the benefits and burdens incurred.

"The construction of high-speed trains to Surabaya should be seen as a wish, not an urgent need," he said in an official statement, Sunday, November 9.

According to Djoko, the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project from the start was not driven by the needs of the community, but the wishes of President Joko Widodo alias Jokowi.

"The construction of the Jakarta Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB) is the wish of President Joko Widodo, not the needs of the community, so that there are pros and cons now," he said.

Moreover, said Djoko, the KCJB project still creates financial burdens for PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI.

"Especially after PT KAI disbursed its debt of IDR 2.2 trillion for 2025," he said.

Therefore, according to Djoko, Java Island needs connectivity between modes, both urban and rural.

"The current vital needs of transportation infrastructure in Java are the focus on increasing urban and rural public transportation, reactivation of rail lines, city transportation services in the province (AKDP), and the availability of road networks to remote villages," he said.

Currently, continued Djoko, transportation infrastructure in Java is much more advanced than outside Java.

The progress of transportation infrastructure on the island of Java shows significant developments in various sectors, especially in connectivity.

For example, said Djoko, the construction of toll roads is one of the main focuses of the government.

Connecting toll roads from Merak to Surabaya, even now that they have reached Probolinggo has provided a fairly high level of mobility in Java, both in the movement of people and goods.

In fact, continued Djoko, travel time was also successfully cut by up to 50 percent compared to using national roads.

Djoko bilang, meski infrastruktur transportasi sudah memadai, namun tidak saling terkoneksi.

“Namun, tantangan yang belum teratasi adalah integrasi transportasi di kawasan perkotaan, perdesaan, dan permukiman. Karena itu, percepatan pembenahan transportasi umum menjadi sangat mendesak,” jelasnya.

Djoko said that although the transportation infrastructure was adequate, it was not connected to each other.

"However, the challenge that has not been resolved is the integration of transportation in urban areas, rural areas, and settlements. Therefore, accelerating the improvement of public transportation is very urgent," he explained.