TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Kereta Api Indonesia has completed the restoration of the first electric train that operates in Indonesia to complete the tour train program of Jakarta’s Old Town area (Kota Tua). “We are in the middle of running the first electric train known as Bonbon. Its been stalled, but its able to run now,” Vice President Conversation, Maintenance and Architecture Design of PT Kereta Api Indonesia, Ella Ubaidi, said in Bandung on Sunday, September 28.

Ella said the Bonbon train that was made in 1920 were operated in Jakarta around 1950s. The restored Bonbon train has been tested to travel routes of Jakarta-Depok. “It hasn’t been official because the certification of eligibility haven’t been issued yet,” she said.

According to Ella, the operation of the train still awaits the reactivation completion of railroad from Kota Station, West Jakarta, to Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, which is being worked on. “It will later on be a tour train operating on Saturdays and Sundays or by request in Jakarta. Its route will be Jakarta City-Ancol-Tanjung Priok, for Kota Tua tours,” Ella said in a statement.

Ella said the electric train is named Jokotop, to respect Joko Hadiyanto, Head of Balaiyasa Manggarai. “We estimate at least three train sets, each consisting of 42 people,” he said.

According to Ella, PT Kereta Api still awaits a green light from the Directorate General of Railway to operate the restored electric train. The train operation will adjust with Jakarta commuter train traffic flows.

AHMAD FIKRI