The Ministry Of Transportation Has Budgeted For The PSO Kereta Subsidy Of IDR 2.5 Trillion In 2023, Including The Jabodetabek KRL.

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) through the Directorate General of Railways continues to encourage people to switch to using mass transportation. Especially the mode of rail transportation in activities.

This commitment is marked by the signing of a contract for the implementation of public service obligation (PSO) and the pioneering rail transportation subsidy (KA) for the 2023 fiscal year.

The Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation, Risal, explained that the government's commitment to encouraging the use of mass transportation can be seen from the amount of PSO funds and disbursed subsidies.

"For the 2023 Fiscal Year, the Ministry of Transportation through DJKA has budgeted PSO funds of IDR 2,549,288,981,000 and subsidized funds for Perintis trains of IDR 124,075,614,136 which are intended to reduce train service rates for the community," said Risal, at the Ministry of Transportation Office, Friday, December 30.

The train services that will receive PSO funds include Long Distance Economy Trains, Medium Distance, Near Distance, Economic KRD, Jabodetabek and Yogyakarta KRL and Eid Economic Trains.

"Meanwhile, subsidy funds will be given to Perintis train services in five regions, namely Central Java, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Aceh," he said.

The implementation of PSO financing and Perintis train subsidies is carried out in accordance with Article 153 of Law no. 23 of 2007 concerning Railways which explains the scheme for providing subsidies for people's transportation by train.

In this case, said Risal, PSO was given to cover the difference in operational rates for economic class services that had been calculated by the Rail Facilities Organizers at the rates set by the government or local government.

Meanwhile, the Perintis train subsidy is provided to cover the operational costs of train services that are higher than revenue based on tariffs set by the government.

"So we hope that through PSO and this Perintis train subsidy, it will be easier for people to access rail mass transportation services at very affordable prices," said Risal.

According to Risal, without the help of PSO and Perintis train subsidies, commercial rail transport rates can soar too high following a large amount of operational costs.

Risal hopes that the public can really take advantage of the rail transportation mode that has received an injection of funds from the government.

"We also advise the organizers of the train service so that they can really provide optimal service to the community so that the PSO funds and the Perintis train subsidies can really provide benefits for many people," he concluded.