TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - LRT Jakarta is expected to begin its commercial operation in April, pending the facility certificate and technical recommendation. LRT Jakarta CEO Allan Tandiono said the final certification process in the Transportation Ministry is targetted to complete at the end of this month.

"We've received the recommendation [certificate] for 16 trains and now we're waiting for the facility and technical recommendations. The process is ongoing at the Transportation Ministry," Allan said on the sidelines of the LRT Jakarta trial at the Velodrome Station, East Jakarta, Friday, March 8.

The ministry is examining LRT Jakarta's facilities which include traction substation, the 3rd rail, signal system, telecommunication, platform screen door, operation control center and maintenance facility of LRT Jakarta train, as mentioned by Allan.

Therefore, he hoped that the LRT Jakarta will be able to start its commercial operation in April. Besides, the construction of a sky-bridge connecting Velodrome Station and Transjakarta's Pemuda Rawamangun stop is currently underway.

"The bridge is indeed built to integrate LRT and BRT (bus rapid transit)," he said.

The LRT Jakarta's Kelapa Gading-Velodrome route has six elevated stations, namely Pegangsaan Dua, Boulevard Utara, Boulevard Selatan, Pulomas, Equestrian, and Velodrome. The 5.8-kilometer route can be reached in 10-13 minutes.

LRT Jakarta targets the travel time in between stations is 1 to 2.5 minutes. The Jakarta Administration proposes the tariff at Rp6,000.

Imam Hamdi