Only Solo Has A Steam Train In The Middle Of The City, Gibran Wants Jalawara To Grow To Become A Tourism

Gibran Rakabuming Raka on the Jaladara Steam Train, in Solo, Central Java, Tuesday, November 21. (ANTARA/Aris Wasita)

Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka wants the existence of the Javanese Steam Train to develop into tourism in Solo, Central Java (Central Java).

"This is extraordinary, we want these tours to be developed," said Gibran, after taking the Jaladara Steam Train from Purwosari Station to Solo City Station, in Solo, Tuesday, November 21, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the existence of the Jaladara Steam Train was extraordinary, because only the city of Solo had a steam train passing through the middle of the city.

"The journey of Solo Purwosari to Solo City is extraordinary. Earlier on the way there was one historian who introduced it. So there was a kind of story telling, there was food too," he said.

On the same occasion, Commissioner of PT KAI (Persero) KGPAA Mangkunegara X admitted that this was the first time he had taken the Jaladara Steam Train.

"This is the first time to be honest, it's great to see Solo in a unique way. Riding a historic train, he is very old but it has become a memorable experience," he said.

He also said that the existence of the steam train could increase the value of tourism in Solo.

"All cities have steam rail lines, this is a historic train, a steam train so that the experience is more enjoyable," he said.

On the same occasion, EVP KAI Daop VI Yogyakarta Bambang Respasio said the Jaladara Steam Train locomotive had operated in Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi in 1925-1930.

"Then since the emergence, electricity has started to move its track to mountainous areas, Padalarang, Cianjur, Sukabumi, Bogor, it's a rising route. It continues not to be used and entered the museum," he said.

Furthermore, in 2009 the steam train locomotive was pulled to Solo to become a tourist icon in the city.

"If the carriage used to follow the Cepu-Blora track. Next (the carriage and locomotive, ed.) were combined in Solo and activated the Slamet Riyadi rail," he said again.

However, to maintain reliability considering that the steam train is old, operating hours are limited every month.

"One month only seven roads, we limit it to maintain its reliability," he said.