7 Weeks Ahead of Launch; Minister Says Jabodebek LRT Progress at 90%

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi and Jakarta's acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono reviewed the readiness of the Jabodebek LRT on Wednesday, June 28, seven weeks and two days before the LRT's scheduled launch on August 18. Budi Karya revealed that the readiness to operate the Jabodebek LRT had reached 90 percent.

"This is nearly 90 percent. What we are doing now is a dynamic test on the rolling stocks, and connecting them with signals," Budi Karya told reporters at the Halim LRT Station today.

The two men rode the LRT from Dukuh Atas Station all the way to the train depot in Jati Mulya, Bekasi, West Java. "It took us 39 minutes to reach Jati Mulya from Dukuh Atas."

The minister said that the time it took to travel that distance was a lot shorter compared to driving via toll roads, which is around two hours.

Once launched, the Jabodebek LRT can carry up to 500,000 passengers per day. The government hopes that the LRT will help unravel congestion in the Jakarta area and cities around it.

Budi Karya said the Jabodebek LRT would be tested for one or two weeks first before opening to the public. If there are no obstacles, the government will immediately inaugurate the LRT.

Amy Heppy

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