TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry has announced Rp1.52 trillion budget for the Public Service Obligation (PSO) for economy class train in 2015.

The announcement was made after the Transportation Ministry and state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) signed the PSO contract.

Director General of Train Affairs of the Transportation Ministry Hermanto Dwiatmoko said that the PSO target in 2015 is given to far distance train, medium distance train, short distance train, diesel train, special Eid al-Fitr train, and electric train.

"Through this contract, it is expected that the people could enjoy train services for economy train, be it train between cities and within cities, with affordable fares,” said Hermanto.

He also explained that the PSO contract for far and medium distance train takes effect between 1 March until 30 June 2015, while the PSO contract for KA short distance train and diesel train takes effect from 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015. In the meantime, the PSO contract for electric train takes effect from 1 January until 30 September 2015.

PSO is the obligation of the government to give transportation services for economy class, be it between cities and in the cities, to the people with affordable fare and is in accordance with the minimum service standard that has been set.

PSO is provided by the government and implemented by PT KAI as a state-owned enterprise in charge of providing train services in the country.

ALI HIDAYAT