Cooperation, VKTR-Jasa Sarana Agree To Prepare Electric Bus For Greater Bandung

Photo (Maria Trisnawati Pongo/VOI)

JAKARTA - PT VKTR Mobility Technology (VKTR), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Jasa Sarana, a BUMD owned by the West Java Provincial Government.

President Director of PT VKTR Mobility Technology, Gilarsi W. Setijono said the signing of this MoU was carried out to support the cooperation plan between VKTR and PT Jasa Sarana in implementing the electrification program of buses and other vehicles as a means of public transportation.

The electric bus is planned to operate in the Greater Bandung area, which includes Bandung City, Bandung Regency, West Bandung Regency, Cimahi City, and parts of Sumedang Regency.

"This collaboration will include conducting a feasibility study, data collection, procurement of electric bus facilities, and electrical infrastructure related to bus electrification, and other potentials that can be synergized and collaborated," said Gilarsi in his remarks, Friday, June 17.

According to Gilarsi, the traffic population in Greater Bandung has experienced a significant increase, resulting in various problems, including congestion and high carbon emissions.

For this reason, the West Java Provincial Government through PT Jasa Sarana, took the initiative to develop a bus rapid transit (BRT) in the Greater Bandung area.

The plan, continued Gilarsi, is that the BRT will be operated through 12 routes with a bus fleet of more than 260 units. Most of them are electric buses of medium size (medium).

"Alhamdulillah, VKTR is at the forefront to support and be part of the West Java Provincial Government's big step in the BRT development project, especially for the electrification of public transportation in Greater Bandung," said Gilarsi.

He also said that there was a lot of potential for electrification of transportation that could be worked on in Greater Bandung. Based on data, currently the most common mode of transportation in Greater Bandung is city transportation (angkot), which accounts for 95 percent of all public transportation modes.

“This is a very big opportunity and potential for both parties to work together to repower or convert these petrol-engined angkots into electric angkots. That way, the old fleet is not wasted and the goal of reducing carbon emissions is also achieved," he explained.

President Director of PT Jasa Sarana, Hanif Mantiq said, last year since being appointed by the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil to carry out this BRT project, his party has continuously conducted studies and opportunities for collaboration with many parties.

Comparative studies and exploration of cooperation have been carried out, both domestically and abroad, to realize this Greater Bandung BRT.

"Surely this collaboration is a collaboration opportunity full of positive potential, to support the achievement of the targets of the Central Government, Regional Government and Regency / City, so that the ideals of environmental conservation can be maintained optimally," concluded Hanif.