The Rangkaian Of Imported KRL Carriages From China Will Arrive In Early 2025

PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd. signed a New KRL Procurement Cooperation Contract in Beijing, China, Wednesday (31/1/2024). (DoK. Public Relations KAI Commuter)

JAKARTA - A series of new carriages or trainsets for electric rail trains (KRL) imported by PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) or KAI Commuter from China, will arrive in Indonesia in early 2025.

VP Corporate Secretary of KAI Commuter Joni Martinus said that apart from China, a new trainset for Jabodetabek KRL was also made by PT INKA. This new KRL will replace train operations that have entered retirement.

"God willing, next year there will be a new KRL carriage. Some are from new INKA and some are from 2025," he said when met at BNI City Station, Jakarta, Sunday, September 8.

Joni said this new KRL is needed to increase capacity, including to meet user convenience. Moreover, he said, currently the number of KRL users has reached 1 million people.

"The average per day is one million passengers using KRL. While the maximum capacity capacity is also 1 million, it is maximal," he said.

This condition, continued Joni, KRL experienced congestion during peak hours when going to work in the morning, and when he came home from work.

"On working hours from 05.00 to 07.00 WIB, then in the afternoon when we come home from work, if we look at it, it's amazingly crowded," said Joni.

Previously, PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) or KAI Commuter increased the number of imported trains from a Chinese company, CRRC Sifang Co., as many as eight units. This addition was done because of urgent needs.

For your information, previously KAI Commuter had imported three new train units from CRRC Sifang. That way, the number of trains from the Bamboo Curtain Country ordered by KAI Commuter will be a total of 11 units.

KAI Commuter Corporate Secretary Anne Purba explained that the addition of new train imports from China was carried out because the party canceled the rejuvenation of 19 train associations with the state-owned company.

"The revofit, right, changed, from 19 to 2 from INKA, so we replaced it to 8 new ones (imports). The details (the reason for canceling) you have to ask INKA," said Anne when met at the DPR RI Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, July 1.

Therefore, Anne said, KAI Commuter decided to add 8 new imported train series from CRRC Sifang. The reason is that the company considers delivery time and costs that must be incurred.

"Because, right, as soon as the technical data needed is finished, the production is left," he said.

Jabodetabek KRL passengers are expected to reach 410 million people by 2027. Therefore, it takes an additional 37 trainsets or a series of trains to accommodate the increase in passengers.

KAI President Director Didiek Hartantyo revealed that the user's need for Jabodetabek KRL facilities is very large, even experiencing a 24 percent increase every year.

Therefore, Didiek said that the procurement of KRL facilities is currently very urgent to anticipate an increase in the number of passengers and the increase in KRL facilities entering a period of conservation or retirement.

"For this reason, a procurement is needed for reimbursement, so that until 2027, around 37 trainsets are needed, the majority of which are over 30 years old," he said at a Hearing Meeting with Commission XI of the DPR at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday, July 1.

Furthermore, Didiek said that the repplacement of trains that will be conserved is 1,088 units that are 30 years old or older, so a replacement is needed.

"The trains that are currently operating when we import are not new trains and it is also necessary to have a certain number of trainsets for maintenance or maintenance and backup," he explained.