Deputy Minister Of State-Owned Enterprises Tiko Said That The Jakarta Bandung High-speed Train Will Operate In June 2023

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Deputy Minister (Wamen) of BUMN II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project will operate in June 2023.

Later, the mode of transportation will be integrated with the light rail transit or the Jabodebek LRT.

"We will track the fast train so that we can continue the progress, hopefully in June-July it can operate," he said in a meeting with Commission VI, Monday, December 5.

Tiko, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo's nickname, revealed that the operation of the Jabodebek LRT, which was delayed from August 2022, will operate in mid-2023.

Later, said Tiko, this light elevated train will operate with level 3 (GoA) grade of automation technology or a train without a driver.

The Jabodebek LRT project was built on the synergy of state-owned companies, namely PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), Adhi Karya, Len Industri, and INKA.

"Indeed, the Jabodebek LRT was delayed from August 2022 to around June 2023 (operating). With the software system used by GoA 3 or without a driver, this is a big challenge, but it is a technological leap," said Tiko.

Tiko added that the plan to operate for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train was supported by the approval of Commission VI of the DPR regarding additional State Capital Participation (PMN) in 2022 to KAI worth IDR 3.2 trillion.

The PMN is given in order to fulfill the capital portion of Indonesia on cost overruns or swelling of the high-speed train project.

"This PMN has been agreed upon and the process is again in Commission XI. Hopefully it can be disbursed at the end of the year," he said.

As previously reported, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI has prepared two train services that will connect the city centers of Jakarta and Bandung with the Jakarta Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB). The services are the Jabodebek LRT and the KCJB Feeder Train.

"The presence of the Jabodebek LRT and the Feeder train will make it easier for people to connect to the KCJB station through a congestion-free and timely transportation system," said KAI VP Public Relations Joni Martinus, Monday, December 5.

Using the Jabodebek LRT, said Joni, customers simply take 20 minutes from Jabodebek Dukuh Atas LRT Station to Jabodebek Halim LRT Station.

"Customers will be able to directly move from Jabodebek Halim LRT Station to Halim KCJB Station because both services have been integrated into the same location," he said.

To make it easier for the community, continued Joni, the Jabodebek LRT headway on the Dukuh Atas-Halim route during peak hours can reach eight minutes.

This can be realized because KAI has implemented the most modern technology in the operation of the Jabodebek LRT.

"People can also use Commuterline KRL to stations connected to the Jabodebek LRT, namely Sudirman and Cawang Stations to further continue their journey using the LRT to Halim KCJB Station," added Joni.

After traveling to the Jabodebek LRT for 20 minutes, the KCJB trip from KCJB Halim Station to KCJB Padalarang Station will be reached in less than 30 minutes.

Di Padalarang, kata Joni, KAI telah menyediakan layanan KA Feeder yang jadwalkannya menyesuaikan dengan jadwal kedatangan KCJB.

The travel time for the KCJB Feeder Train to go to Bandung Station is only 18 minutes.

"By using the connected train service, the total time needed between the centers of Jakarta and Bandung is about 1 hour away. With the best technology and human resources, KAI will ensure that all train trips operate on time like existing KAI services," said Joni.