TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Transportation is set to develop Manggarai Station into a railway transportation hub that aims to accommodate urban train traffic and long-distance trains. This idea was inspired by rail transport designs in Malaysia and Thailand.

Head of the Jakarta and Banten Regional Railway Engineering Center, Rode Paulus, said that Manggarai Station, which will later become the first central station in Indonesia, is expected to be able to improve passenger transportation services.

"Reflecting on the success of Thailand and Malaysia, the central station actually has an important role in ensuring the smooth accessibility and mobility of people and goods between districts, cities, and provinces in an area," said Rode in his statement, Thursday, June 9, 2022.

Through the operation of Bang Sue Central Station in Thailand and KL Sentral Station in Malaysia, the two countries have succeeded in realizing integrated rail transportation which makes mobilization smoother while on the other hand boosting the economy.

The Transportation Ministry’s Directorate General of Railways noted that in May 2022, the construction work on the Manggarai Station reached 60.125 percent. This development includes the physical construction of the east side which is targeted to operate in 2023.

Director-general Zulfikri said that Manggarai Station was chosen as the location for the development of the central station because of its strategic location. In addition, its role is considered very vital to support rail services in the capital city.

Francisca Christy Rosana

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