Argo Parahyangan Vs KCJB Train, Ridwan Kamil Prioritizes Fast Trains

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, has spoken about the issue of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB) which will have an impact on the cessation of the Argo Parahyangan train service (KA).

He said, both of them were oriented to transporting passengers from Jakarta to Bandung.

Even so, the man who is familiarly called Emil said the West Java Provincial Government would prioritize the Fast Train.

This is because KCJB can serve the community faster than Argo Parahyangan.

"But the point (needs to) be understood that these are the two identical matters, transporting Jakarta-Bandung passengers. So there are two options, of course we prioritize new projects that serve the community more quickly," he told reporters. met at the Fairmont Hotel, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 20.

However, said Emil, whatever decision later, all must be evaluated pluses and minuses of all possibilities.

He also asked not to have too much debate in the community before there was really an official decision.

"So, all these decisions will be evaluated plus-minus. Don't criticize it now, because it hasn't been done yet," he said.

Emil said that if it turned out that the arguments that underlie the decisions made were wrong, revisions could be made in the future.

Including if the decision taken is to stop Argo Parahyangan or replace him as a freight transport train.

"Later, after it is done, if it turns out that the argument is not proven, or it is wrong, it is just a re-revision," he said.

Deny of Remove the Argo Parahyangan train

Previously, the Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Railways had denied that it would remove the Argo Parahyangan long-distance train when the Jakarta Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB) officially started operating.

Acting Director General of Railways Risal Wasal confirmed that his party had not planned to remove 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 when met at the Ministry of Transportation, Monday, December 12.

Risal explained, 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.

He also said he would see how the Argo Parahyangan and KCJB trains work together.

"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.