Govt Refuses Japan`s Offer of Jakarta - Surabaya Fast Train
6 September 2017 11:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) offers a fast train concept between Jakarta and Surabaya with a train that runs 120 kilometers per hour. The offer was delivered by the Japanese government's delegation received by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, yesterday.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the Indonesian government rejected the proposal. "A speed of 120 kilometers per hour is not fast enough, we want something faster," he said.
According to Budi, Indonesia wants the train to run at a speed of least 160 kilometers per hour.
"We require above 160 kilometers per hour, a medium high speed," he said after accompanying the President to receive the Japanese delegation.
According to Budi, at a rate of 160 kilometers per hour, there will be more departures and that means accommodating more passengers.
The Jakarta-Surabaya rapid-train project was initiated last year, after Indonesia Chine won the Jakarta-Bandung rapid train project. As Japan had done the study first, the government offered the Jakarta-Surabaya rapid train project to Japan.
ISTMAN M.P. | RETNO SULISTYOWATI
