TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The government plans to expedite the construction of mass transport projects in three metropolitan areas, viz. the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), Bandung Metropolitan, and Surabaya areas. The three areas’ administrations have been notified to propose their preferred transport modes.

National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) chief Andrinof Chaniago said among the mass transport projects were mass rapid transit (MRT), light mass transport, metro capsules, and electric trains (KRL).

Besides asked to propose their own transport system, the local governments are also told to prepare plans for residential areas and spatial planning. Andronof said the central government would form inter-province teams to review the plans.

“We’ll also involve state-owned and private companies, “he said at the State Palace on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.

In the initial stage, the Greater Jakarta area has proposed the light mass transport system akin to the monorail concept. “The route will be from Cibubur to downtown areas and use the shoulder of toll roads. So there will be no land-related problems,” he said.

Surabaya, meanwhile, plans to adopt the double track and MRT systems, while West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan has said the projects in Bandung Metropolitan area will include Bandung city, Bandung regency, Cimahi and Sumedang. The governor, however, has yet to propose any plan for the projects.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo said congestion in the three metropolitan areas was severe. “It has to be decided immediately. We already have plans but we are not going to see them manifest [if action is not taken].”

ALI HIDAYAT