The Ministry Of Transportation Will Review The Feasibility Study Of Manggarai Station To Serve Long-distance Trains

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has confirmed that it will review the feasibility study regarding the plan to transfer long-distance train services (KAJJ) from Gambir Station to Manggarai Station.

The Director-General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation, Allan Tandiono, said that his party was open to input from various parties, including the DPR and the public, regarding the plan.

"Regarding this, of course we welcome every available input. We will re-check the feasibility study of Manggarai Station by coordinating with local governments, operators such as KAI and KCI," Allan said in a discussion at the Ministry of Transportation Office, Thursday, August 21.

According to Allan, the Ministry of Transportation's main focus remains on improving the quality of train transportation services and ensuring passenger safety.

"As reminded by the Minister of Transportation, we focus on community service. Focus on service quality and of course also safe policies," he said.

For your information, the plan to make Manggarai Station to serve KAJJ has drawn the spotlight, including from the DPR which assesses that the study on feasibility and operational impacts must be considered more carefully.

Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the House of Representatives, Andre Rosiade, highlighted the policy of the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation which concentrates train services at Manggarai Station, including plans to move long-distance trains from Gambir.

"One of the most important things, sir, is this, I'm sorry, there is an act of coercion from the Director General of Railways that all of them have been transferred to Manggarai station. In fact, even interprovincial passengers, for example, the train will be moved from Gambir to Manggarai," Andre said in a meeting of Commission VI of the DPR with the President Director of KAI Bobby Rasyidin, written Thursday, August 21.

According to Andre, the decision was unrealistic. The reason is, access to Manggarai Station is much more difficult. In fact, the station does not have sufficient land for vehicle parking.

The Gerindra politician also questioned the reasons for investing in trillions of rupiah at Manggarai Station. He emphasized that the logic of public services should prioritize the convenience of passengers, not just infrastructure projects.

"Is it realistic or not? Yes, many people say no. Because there is no access road, there is no parking. You talk to the Minister (Relations), why is the Director General of Railways investing trillions in Manggarai? This is a project chase or a service chase? The logic doesn't make sense, you know," he said.

According to Andre, compared to Manggarai Station, Gambir is more appropriate to be used as a national rail service center. Moreover, this station has a fairly large parking lot.

"Why isn't Gambir being taken care of? Gambir is wider, access is easy, the parking is wider. Why is Manggarai forced? Is this the mindset of a project or public service? "said Andre.

"Why Manggarai? Yes, there is no parking, access is difficult. You have to dare to talk with the Director General of Railways. We are mindseting public services, sir, not projects. Please convey that to the DJKA," he continued.

Therefore, Andre asked the board of directors of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI as the operator of the train to remind DJKA to reconsider the plan to move interprovincial trains from Gambir to Manggarai.

"Please Mr (Bobby Rasyidin) remind them (DJKA), not because of project interests, then studies during the New Order era were used today. Because I heard the information about the study during the New Order era," he said.

Andre also asked the ranks of PT KAI to dare to speak up and re-evaluate the policy plan.

"This must be voiced, both in Commission VI and Commission V. So that the Director General of Railways hears. We are talking about public services, not projects," he concluded.