Jakarta's new light rail transit (LRT) aims to make it easier for commuters to transport to and from the capital city or other regions. - PHOTO: AFP
JAKARTA: The Greater Jakarta Light Rail Transit (LRT) will start serving passengers on Monday, with 18 stations becoming operational.
Local news agency Antara reported that state railway company KAI’s vice-president of public relations Joni Martinus said on Saturday: “The Greater Jakarta LRT stations are placed in strategic locations ranging from residential areas to business districts.
“The goal is to make it easier for commuters to (travel) to and from the capital city or other regions.”
The 18 stations are: Dukuh Atas, Setiabudi, Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Pancoran, Cikoko, Ciliwung, Cawang, TMII, Kampung Rambutan, Ciracas, Harjamukti, Halim, Jatibening Baru, Cikunir I, Cikunir II, Bekasi Barat and Jatimulya.
The Jakarta Globe said that the automated, driverless train system is expected to transport around 500,000 passengers a day.
There are two types of LRT stations – an interchange station and a typical station. The difference between the two lies in the number of lines, the location of the station, and the facilities.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo entering a carriage for a ride on Jakarta’s new light rail transit on Aug 3. - PHOTO: AFP
Mr Martinus said that there is an interchange station in Cawang and 17 typical stations, according to Antara.
The news agency said that an interchange station has three floors, with the first floor serving as the boarding and commercial area, the second as the platform area, and the third floor as the commercial area.
On the other hand, a typical station has two floors, with the lower floor being the boarding area and the upper floor serving as the platform area.
The Greater Jakarta LRT stations are equipped with escalators, stairs and lifts, toilets, lactation rooms, prayer rooms, a health room, a passenger information display system, a passenger announcement system and closed-circuit television cameras.
The Jakarta Post previously reported that the Greater Jakarta LRT was set to begin full public service on Aug 18, a day after the country’s Independence Day celebration.
Then, President Joko Widodo, noting that safety must be a priority, pointed out that there was no need to rush its opening to the public.
The LRT was first scheduled to begin operations in 2022, and then in June 2023, added the Post.
It also reported that the state railway company suspended the limited public trial run just four days after it started on July 13 to make software improvements and fix system glitches. Initially, the limited public trial run was planned for resumption on July 29, but this was later postponed to Aug 5. - The Straits Times/ANN
