TEMPO.CO, Palembang - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi was upbeat that the integration of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Palembang with Damri buses and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Trans Musi—and the relatively affordable tariff of Rp7,000—would boost the number of LRT users.

“[One of the strategies to increase the number of passengers] is by applying the same tariff to the LRT and its feeder,” said Budi Karya in Palembang, Monday, March 4.

Despite being the nation’s first country to boast the LRT, transportation modes in Palembang and South Sumatra was still far from ideal, Budi added.

Budi said it would take the transportation modes some 10-15 years to achieve the ideal level. Singapore, for example, needed 15 years to meet such a level, he added.

Read: LRT Jakarta to Operate End of March: Govt

He explained the development of transportation modes in South Sumatra had been ongoing for 5-7 years, thus the province would need around 10 years to make them ideal, and that the LRT must be supported by feeders.

South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru said he would issue a policy stipulating the province's civil servants must take the LRT occasionally. The provincial administration will also distribute free e-money cards used as LRT tickets. “We are still studying the regulation,” he added.

PARLIZA HENDRAWAN (CONTRIBUTOR)