Indonesian Govt Explores Plan to Establish Skytrain, ART in Bandung

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, said the Indonesian government is exploring the plan to build Skytrains and autonomous rail transit (ART) in Bandung, West Java. 

“We are considering several approaches for Bandung. One of them is using electric (transportation), we are thinking about how to operate ART here,” said Budi Karya in a press conference after the opening of the ASEAN Railway CEOs’ Conference (ARCEOs’ Conference) in Bandung on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

The minister said autonomous rail transit was first introduced in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan. “And other cities in Indonesia are interested in ART,” he said.

In addition to ART, the government also plans to build Skytrains in Bandung. Budi Karya said the government is currently conducting a study for Skytrain development in the city.

The Transportation Minister invites private entities in Bandung to invest in the development. “Bandung is magnificent, but it will be even more so with ART and Skytrain,” he said.

Acting West Java Governor, Bey Machmudin, said Bandung needs mass transportation modes, including railway-based. The closest transportation plan for the West Java government is to expand the capacity of Greater Bandung commuters. 

“God willing, we will (release) the information in November, to electrify the signaling in stages, and hopefully this will kick start the improvement of Bandung commuter line quality. Even if (the commuter) is not yet electrified, we expect a shorter headway,” Bey said on Tuesday, September 3.

AHMAD FIKRI

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