South Sumatra LRT Users Surge Ahead Of Eid

The Palembang Light Rail Transit (LRT) series passes over the Musi River, Palembang, South Sumatra, Monday (23/7). (ANTARA PHOTO/Nova Wahyudi/kye/18)

PALEMBANG - The number of users of the South Sumatran inner-city train (Light Rail Transit) in Palembang experienced a surge ahead of Eid 2022, reaching 56,753 people during the Lebaran transportation period starting April 22, 2022 until D-3 Eid 1443 Hijri.

Head of Public Relations Division of PT KAI Regional Division III Palembang Aida Suryanti said, from the total number of passengers, on average there were 7,094 passengers using the South Sumatra LRT per day, an increase of about 4 percent compared to 2019 during the period before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aida said that the increase in the number of passengers on the South Sumatra LRT ahead of Eid was seen at the Ampera LRT Station, which is located near the Pasar 16 Ilir shopping center and the Palembang Icon Mall.

Then at Ampera Bridge Station, Ampera Monument (Monpera), Kuto Besak Fort, Fountain Roundabout and the Great Mosque.

Passengers departing from Ampera Station from D-10 to D-3 are 13,246 with an average of 1,656 passengers per day. The highest number of passengers at Ampera Station occurred on D-8, which coincided on Sunday (24 April 2022) as many as 2,532 people.

As the operator of the South Sumatra LRT, PT KAI Divre III together with the South Sumatra Light Railroad Management Center (BPKARSS) have prepared for this Eid transportation period.

During the Lebaran transportation period, he explained, the operating hours of the South Sumatra LRT will still start at 06.00 - 20.25 WIB with 88 trips.

The LRT departure distance between stations (headway) is only 17 minutes with a maximum capacity of one series of 179 passengers.

For the travel period May 3 - 7 2022, during peak hour there will be an additional eight trips from 9.00 - 16.00 WIB. "This is to anticipate the crowds of LRT users at this Eid moment," Aida said as quoted by Antara, Saturday, April 30.

Regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, KAI continues to remind passengers to comply with applicable health protocols while using the LRT, both at stations and on trains.