Reason KAI Wants Used KRL Imports: Urgent Needs, INKA Takes 3 Years Of Production

KAI VP Public Relations Joni Martinus on the Panoramic Train (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) revealed that PT Industri Kereta Api (Persero) or INKA has not been able to supply Electric Rail Train (KRL) or Commuter Line. Because, it took approximately three years to produce.

PT KAI's VP of Public Relations (Persero), Joni Martinus said that KAI had entered into a cooperation agreement with INKA to supply trains, including for Jabodetabek KRL.

Furthermore, Joni said that for production, a process of 2 to 3 years is needed. Therefore, INKA has not been able to supply trains.

"It's been (a cooperation agreement), I don't know how many (trains), which of course has happened, INKA friends need time and it takes process," he told reporters, at Bandung Station, Monday, March 6.

Therefore, said Joni, to meet the current train needs, KCI has submitted an import application for 10 former Japanese KRLs.

However, the permit application was rejected by the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) on the grounds that it prioritized domestic industries.

Joni explained that meeting the need for used train imports from Japan is urgent and related to safety factors. This is because KAI cannot extend its retirement period from the trainset being used.

"Actually, when it comes to carriages that must be retired or no longer operational, this is closely related to safety, there are safety aspects there are safety factors that are considered," he said.

Joni explained that if there are a number of series that retire and are not immediately replaced, the transport capacity will be in the space.

As is known, the capacity of each one carriage is capable of serving 175 people. Meanwhile, a series of KRL consists of 8 to 12 carriages. If it is calculated simultaneously or round-trip, then a series of trains can serve tens of thousands of passengers.

"Because it is related to the carrying capacity. We want the service to remain good. We see that the needs of the community to the KRL are high, so we have to take care of that. So KCI asks for permission to import trains," he said.