Welcoming Indonesia’s First MRT
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President Joko Widodo delivers a speech in a ceremony for the launch of Indonesia’s first MRT at Bundaran HI Station in Central Jakarta on Sunday (24/3/2019). The MRT’s second phase will be between Bundaran HI and Kota in West Jakarta.
After more than 30 years of waiting, Indonesia’s first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) finally began operating in Jakarta on Sunday, marking a new era of urban public transportation in the country.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the operation of the country’s first MRT in Jakarta in a ceremony held at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Sunday. The long awaited MRT is now ready to serve residents of the city.
MRT Jakarta marks a step up in rail-based urban transportation from the commuter trains (KRL trains) that have existed for a long time. Jakarta MRT and or KRL trains are both types of heavy rail transit.
According to an examination by Kompas’ R&D department, including from the “Mass Transit Options: Sustainable Transportation”, heavy rail transit is a transit system using high-performance trains operating on exclusive lanes without intersections, with large station buildings. In Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), high-performance rail systems include the commuter trains and the new MRT network.
The difference between them is that the MRT uses an automatic control system and a communications-based train control (CBTC) signaling system. According to the MRT Jakarta website, the MRT uses moving block technology, in which the signaling system is located in the driver\'s cabin. With this technology, the train block is more flexible, easily changed and moves according to the train\'s movement and parameters.
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Passengers queue to board the MRT at Bundaran HI Station in Central Jakarta on Sunday (24/3/2019). The MRT’s first phase linking Bundaran HI and Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo.
Thus, the operator can locate the train more accurately. CBTC shortens the space between trains without increasing the risk of collision. This system differs from the conventional fixed-block system used for trains in Indonesia. In one block, there is only one train, the distance between blocks is generally 1 kilometer, so the cross capacity is limited.
The first route that was inaugurated on Sunday following Construction Phase 1 is the south-north corridor from Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. About half of the 15.7-km track is underground, namely from Senayan to the HI traffic circle. This is the first underground railroad track in Indonesia.
In his speech at the launch ceremony, President Jokowi told residents to take care of the MRT. Construction Phase 1 of the MRT project began in 2013, when Jokowi served as the governor of Jakarta. The project is financed by loans from the Japanese government worth about Rp 16.9 trillion.
With the operation of the MRT, a good transportation culture should also be developed. "Do not litter, stand in line, take care of the MRT stations, be disciplined with times. Today, a new civilization begins with the operation of the MRT, "the President said in his speech.
President Joko Widodo (right) shakes hands with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan at the inauguration of the operation of the first phase of the MRT at Bundaran HI Station in Central Jakarta on Sunday (24/3/2019). The first phase of the MRT linking Bundaran HI and Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta covering a distance of 16 kilometers was officially launched on Sunday.
Sunday also marked the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the MRT Jakarta, during which 7.8 km of track will be built to connect the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle with Kota Station in West Jakarta. It is expected to be completed by 2024.
The President also requested the construction of the West-East Phase 2 MRT project linking up with Tangerang, Bekasi, to be carried out immediately. He expressed hope that the two projects could be carried out simultaneously.
Earlier, the President had boarded the MRT from Istora Station to the HI traffic circle, where he inaugurated the 16-KM HI traffic circle-Lebak Bulus route with 13 stations.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, who was also present at the inauguration ceremony, confirmed that he would oversee the construction of the second phase of the MRT development and its subsequent phases. "Within the framework of JakLingko (integrated public transportation program for Jakarta), we will continue to oversee Phase 2 and subsequent MRT development," Anies said.
The MRT route from the HI traffic circle to Kota will be entirely underground, passing through Sarinah, Monas, Harmoni, Sawah Besar, and Kota Station. The MRT is integrated with the Transjakarta bus network.
President Joko Widodo, accompanied by officials, presses a button to officially inaugurate the first phase of the MRT at Bundaran HI Station in Central Jakarta on Sunday (24/32019). The first phase of the MRT linking Bundaran HI and Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta covering a distance of 16 kilometers was officially launched on Sunday.
In the future, Anies said, the MRT would be integrated with other modes of transportation as well, such as the light rail transit (LRT) and the KRL trains. Anies thanked the central government and the previous governors of Jakarta who oversaw the MRT development, mentioning former governors Sutiyoso, Fauzi Bowo, Joko Widodo, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat. Anies also expressed appreciation for all parties involved in the development of the MRT as well as for the people affected by traffic jams caused by MRT construction work.
The fares for the Jakarta MRT are to be decided by the Jakarta Council this week. Overall, the MRT is to include 231 km of routes and is expected to require Rp 571 trillion of investment over a 10-year period. Those funds will be spent not only on the construction of stations and tracks but also for restructuring settlements, building drainage systems and integrating other modes of transportation.
Hopefully, the integrated public transportation system will be able to solve the congestion problem in Jakarta, which causes financial losses estimated at up to Rp 100 trillion a year.
Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) Indonesia director Yoga Adiwinarto said only a combination of limiting the use of private vehicles and building integrated modes of public transportation could reduce congestion in Jakarta.
"The concept has been proven in other countries. Only a policy of limiting private vehicles can reduce congestion. The provision of mass public transportation is not intended to reduce congestion but to provide an alternative for citizen mobility. These two policies are two sides of a coin that cannot be separated from each other," said Yoga on Friday.
After the inauguration, residents can still enjoy the Jakarta MRT for free until March 31. Residents can buy cards or tickets at MRT stations to tap in and out, while the balance on the card will remain unchanged until the end of the month. Residents will start to pay on April 1, when the commercial operation will officially start. (INA/HLN/IRE)
