Observer: Optimize Potential Train Goods To Reduce Road Damage

Transportation observer from the Soegijapranata Catholic University, Semarang Djoko Setijowarno, assessed that the management of the potential train (KA) of goods must be optimized to reduce the potential for road damage due to heavy vehicle loads.

"Letting the transportation of goods via the highway, our road will be damaged later. It's better to switch to the train," Djoko said as quoted by Antara, Friday, June 9.

According to him, subsidies for freight trains are not a problem when compared to potential road damage due to cargo.

He said the potential for rail transportation would still be high even though the Trans Java Toll Road had been connected to the Yogyakarta area.

Djoko admitted that since the toll road, people have switched from airplane transportation to motorized vehicles, such as cars or buses.

"Going by car from Jakarta to Semarang can take 5 to 6 hours, taking the train now it can also be faster," he said.

He assessed that train customers remain loyal to using the mode of transportation, even though the Trans Java Toll Road has been connected.

PT KAI, he continued, added to the train it operates to give customers more choices.

"The most important thing from KAI is the service that will shape people's habits," he said.

Previously, PT KAI launched five new train series starting June 1, 2023.

The five trains are Argo Merbabu, Semarang-Jakarta connection, Manahan train, Solo-Jakarta connection, Semeru train, Surabaya-Yogyakarta-Jakarta connection, Pandalungan train, Jember-Semarang-Jakarta connection, and Banyubiru train, Semarang-Solo connection.

President Director of PT KAI Didiek Hartantyo said the launch of the new train was in line with the implementation of the 2023 Railway Travel Graphics.

In addition to increasing the number of trains, in the 2023 Railway Travel Graphics, train trips are also faster.