TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mass Rapid Transit or MRT Jakarta and state-owned railway operator KAI have launched today, January 10, a joint venture dubbed PT Moda Integrasi Transportasi Jabodetabek to manage and operate 72 stations.

“I am glad because today, mass transportation will be further developed and provide better service,” said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi at SOE Ministry Building, Jakarta, Friday, January 10.

Budi Karya said the KAI currently serves 1.2 million passengers daily in the capital. With the partnership, he hoped the figure will increase to 1.9 million passengers.

“This is a starting point that the inter-mode integration will run smoothly because the vital thing needed is an institution,” he remarked.

Budi Karya also pinned hope the integration would be supported by the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and the transportation node arrangement.

Thus, he believed the partnership would generate good impacts on the development of urban transportation and encourage people to use public transport while reducing the use of private vehicles.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the collaboration of MRT Jakarta and KAI was a joint effort of SOE Ministry, Transportation Ministry, and the city administration in a bid to manage 72 stations, including airport trains and commuter lines.

"Jakarta has a 51-percent stake. The initial phase of the integration of trains and other land transports will be set at four stations, namely Tanah Abang Station, Juanda Station, Senen Station, and Sudirman Station," he said.

CAESAR AKBAR