TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) or KAI Commuter announced its plans to import an additional 8 trainsets from China. This decision comes after the cancellation of the retrofit project of 19 trainsets with state-owned train manufacturer, PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA).

“The retrofit project changed from 19 to 2. We replaced it with 8 new imports,” KAI Commuter’s Corporate Secretary, Anne Purba, said after a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission XI in Senayan on Monday, July 1.

Previously, KAI Commuter had purchased 3 trainset units from CRRC Sifang Co. Ltd worth approximately Rp783 billion. With the additional import of the 8 trainsets, the total number of imported trainsets becomes 11 units.

Anne said that the INKA's limited capacity to produce trainsets ultimately forced KAI Commuter to import. She emphasized the importance of punctual delivery and cost-effectiveness, factors that favored CRRC Sifang. The imported trainsets are expected to arrive at KAI Commuter in the first half of 2025.

“INKA's new delivery time is at the end of 2025, while the retrofit needs should start this year. So, we are looking for the fastest,” Anne added.

In addition, Anne highlighted the advantage of not needing to redesign the specifications for the new imports, as they will be sourced from the same supplier as the three previously acquired trainsets. “If we take a different manufacturer, would have to redesign them. Some costs are reduced when we [import] from CRRC.”

Earlier in a meeting with Commission XI, President Director of state-owned rail operator PT KAI Didiek Hartyanyo said that the import was carried out because INKA had not been able to meet the retrofit of 19 units, but only two units for next year.

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