TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The second phase of the construction project of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT Jakarta or Ratangga) will kick off March 2019. The project will be divided into IIA and IIB phases.

The route of the project’s IIA phase starts from Hotel Indonesia to Stasiun Kota, while the IIB phase beginning from Stasiun Kota until Ancol is still being studied as to set a more effective construction.

“The second phase will be commenced next month, starting from HI to Stasiun Kota. Whereas the project from Stasiun Kota to Ancol is still being studied, we hope both construction projects will complete in 2024,” said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi in a written statement Wednesday, February 20.

The tariff rate of MRT Jakarta, according to Budi, will be decided by Jakarta provincial administration as it will be adjusted to a subsidy. “That’s the authority of Jakarta to decide the tariff because it will include a subsidy,” Budi added. The government suggested the fee for the HI-Lebak Bulus route at around Rp8,500-Rp10,000.

MRT president director William Sabandar assured that MRT Jakarta trains or Ratangga would start its commercial operation between March 24-31, 2019.

The project's first phase has 13 stations, which 7 of them are elevated stations in Lebak Bulus, Fatmawati, Cipete Raya, Haji Nawi, Blok A, Blok M, and Sisingamangaraja, while the rest are underground stations located in Senayan, Istora, Bendungan Hilir, Setiabudi, Dukuh Atas, and Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (Bundaran HI).

CAESAR AKBAR | FRISKI RIANA