Minister Budi Karya: Train Operation Resumes Saturday

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, confirmed that the Duri-Tangerang electric rail train (KRL) and the airport train will be resuming operation on Saturday, January 4, 2020, although with some limitations. Previously, the train serving the Duri-Tangerang route was halted because of 50 centimeters high flood.

"The airport train [operates] once every hour compared to the usual 30 minutes because we have to use only one rail, the other one is still under repair," Budi said in a written statement on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Despite its limited operation, Budi Karya ensured that passenger services in the stations will resume normally. Meanwhile, to anticipate future disturbance of train travels because of flood, the Transportation Ministry will conduct repairs on tracks that were previously inundated with water.

Budi Karya said that in the near future, his ministry will increase the elevation of 500 meters of tracks by 75 centimeters. "The Train Directorate General and friends from the KAI will coordinate," Budi Karya said.

Budi Karya added that around five stations on the route to Tangerang have been affected by the flood back in January 1, 2020. The affected stations were Duri station, Rawa Buaya station, Pesing station, Taman Kota station, and Bojong Indah station.

Budi Karya said that as of Friday, January 3, 2020, train operator company is yet to make calculations on the total losses incurred from the disruption of train travels.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA