TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has appointed state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia or PT KAI, to be the operator of the light rail transit (LRT). Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan said the appointment is based on time efficiency.
Jokowi wants PT KAI to take the job so that biddings, which are time-consuming—won't be necessary, Jonan said in Jakarta Wednesday, February 3.
PT KAI is ready to take on the job. KAI spokesman Agus Komarudin, said the company will prepare everything they would need in operating the LRT, particularly manpower.
The government is giving PT KAI the freedom to look for partners in managing the LRT.
The LRT project was inaugurated by president Widodo on September 9, 2015. The LRT will have six routes: Cawang-Cibubur, Cawang-Kuningan-Dukuh Atas, Cawang-East Bekasi, Dukuh Atas-Palmerah-Senayan, Cibubur-Bogor, and Palmerah-Bogor.
The government has also appointed state-owned constructor PT Adhi Karya as the project developer. The initial construction stage is targeted for completion in 2018.
FAIZ NASHRILLAH