84 Percent Development, Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train Operation Is Delayed From Target?

JAKARTA - The progress of the construction of the Jakarta Bandung Fast Train (KCJB) project has now reached 84 percent. Meanwhile, the government targets this mass transportation to operate in June.

Then, will this project be delayed again?

Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) transportation expert Sony Sulaksono said that if only basic infrastructure remained for the project, the June 2023 operational target could be achieved.

"If it's only the basic infrastructure for the fast train system, it might be possible to achieve it in June," he told VOI, written Thursday, February 16.

However, Sony highlighted the construction of the Padalarang Station. He said, the construction of the station is still in the range of 20 percent. The reason is, this station will become a hub.

"If I'm not mistaken, Padalarang Station is still around 20 percent," he said.

The Construction Is the Hardest Part Left

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation, Adita Irawati, said that the remaining KCJB development projects that are currently being carried out are the most difficult part. One of them is related to frequency.

Even so, Adita is optimistic that KCJB can be operated according to the target, namely in June 2023.

"And when talking about progress, KCIC reports that it has reached around 84 percent and the hope is that it can be on the track and the remaining percentage is indeed the most challenging because it has to do with integration issues. Including signaling and frequency," he told reporters, Wednesday, February 15.

For your information, the Ministry of Transportation has collaborated with two consulting companies from England, namely, The Crossrail International and PT Mott Macdonald Indonesia to ensure the operational readiness of the Jabodetabek LRT to KCJB last month.

Adita explained that the two British consulting firms would also assist in the process of working on the most difficult part of the KCJB project.

"We are asking for consultations related to technical operations, including in this case about signaling, and all kinds of things, so far we have no experience in the country and that's what we are doing," he said.

Previously, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi explained the reasons for choosing a British company. He said, this was because the country had a good experience in building railway infrastructure with various technologies and innovations.

"We can use the knowledge, skills, and expertise we have to transfer knowledge and transfer technology in the railway sector," he said in an official statement, Monday, January 16.

The two projects, both the Jabodebek LRT and the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train, both use high technology. The Jabodebek LRT was developed with Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) and a level 3 Grade of Automation (GoA) system, which allows the Jabodebek LRT to be operated without a driver.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train (KCJB) uses GSM-R technology which is the first time it has been used in Indonesia.