More Integrated Train Stations Expected in Jakarta
It took five months and a budget of Rp 25 billion to revamp four train stations in Jakarta. Next, the government is preparing Rp 40 billion to revamp five stations in three months in the project’s second phase.
It took five months and a budget of Rp 25 billion (US$1.77 million) to revamp four train stations in Jakarta. Next, the government is preparing Rp 40 billion to revamp five stations in three months in the project’s second phase.
The central government, through the Transportation Ministry and State-Owned Enterprises Ministry, is continuing its train station renovations in collaboration with the Jakarta Transportation Agency and PT MRT Jakarta. After revamping four stations within five months, five stations will be revamped for the sake of intermodal integration and the smooth mobility of passengers.
The four revamped stations were inaugurated on Wednesday (17/6/2020). The inauguration of the four integrated stations, a project carried out in collaboration between PT MRT Jakarta and state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), was held at Tanah Abang Station. State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Jakarta secretary Saefullah, PT MRT Jakarta director William P. Sabandar, PT KAI president director Didiek Hartantyo and PT Moda Integrasi Transportasi Jabodetabek (MITJ) president director Tuhiyat attended the ceremony.
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Previously, on 10 January 2020, PT KAI and PT MRT Jakarta established a joint subsidiary to revamp train stations in Jakarta by prioritizing public transportation users’ comfort, mobility and safety. The new company, namely PT MITJ, is tasked with revamping 72 train stations in Greater Jakarta.
Through the joint venture, PT KAI allows the use of its land in and around train stations for spatial reorganization purposes. The new company is then authorized to carry out projects, including improving facilities in and around train stations, including direction signage, bus stops and facilities to help manage people and vehicles, especially public transportation modes, to reduce congestion around the stations.
The four train stations revamped in the first phase of the project were Juanda, Pasar Senen, Tanah Abang and Sudirman stations. The project began on 21 January and the original completion target was March.
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However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, work was delayed and only completed in May. A trial for the revamped stations began in early June 2020 and an inauguration took place at Tanah Abang Station on Wednesday (17/6/2020).
In the case of Tanah Abang station’s renovation, for instance, PT KAI allows the use of 3,578 square meters of land and the Jakarta administration permits the use of the former official residence of the Tanah Abang district head’s house.
As is evident today, the revamping leads to better transportation connectivity. There are designated spaces for each mode, including commuter trains, Transjakarta buses, public minivans, bajaj three-wheeled taxis, ride-hailing motorcycle services and motorcycle taxis. In the three other stations, all transportation modes also have their own spaces connected to the pedestrian plaza. In Sudirman station, for instance, commuter trains, MRT, airport train Transjakarta buses and motorcycle taxis have designated lanes with ample pedestrian access.
Other than reorganizing the passageways for passengers hopping on and off from transportation modes, facilities and infrastructure are also revamped. This includes pedestrian plazas and facilities, Transjakarta bus lay-bys, direction signs and spots for street sellers.
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Anies said that the inauguration of the revamped Tanah Abang station also marked the 12th anniversary of PT MRT Jakarta. He continued that Tanah Abang would continue to be transformed from a slum and unsafe area into a comfortable transportation hub.
Meanwhile, Erick said that the revamped train stations’ inauguration showed that a healthy ecosystem has been established that comprises state-owned and region-owned enterprises as well as private companies to provide integrated transportation services.
“This is part of President Joko Widodo’s wish that Jakarta, as the capital city, has an integrated transportation management system comprising interconnected modes,” Erick said.
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The train stations’ renovation is also part of the capital’s urban regeneration through transit-oriented development that is supported by integrated development in public transportation within the Jak Lingko system.
Anies continued that the train stations’ renovation was among the main programs of his administration as part of facilitating public transportation users.
We aim to maintain this positive public response by providing more comfortable, clean and efficient stations
“As Jakarta is becoming more advanced, the city must be supported by advanced public transportation facilities. This is among the ways to appreciate people’s high enthusiasm for public transportation. We aim to maintain this positive public response by providing more comfortable, clean and efficient stations,” he said.
Anies also conveyed his appreciation to the central government. This transportation mode integration project can be implemented only through good synergy and collaboration between all parties, namely the central government through the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry and the Transportation Ministry, the regional government and private companies.
The Jakarta administration, through its transportation agency, public works agency, parks and urban forest agency, PT MRT Jakarta, PT Transjakarta, city-owned developer Perumda Sarana Jaya and city-owned traditional market operator Perumda Pasar Jaya, would remain committed to completing the renovation project amid the pandemic.
Budi Karya said, “We welcome the inauguration of the integrated stations that will facilitate intermodal access for transportation service users. Travels will be more efficient time-wise and cost-wise.”
“Currently, we already have several integrated intermodal stations, such as Kuala Namu airport train station in Medan, Minangkabau International Airport (BIM) train station [in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra], LRT station at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II airport [in Palembang], Soekarno Hatta airport train station [in Tangerang, Banten] and Adi Soemarmo airport train station [in Surakarta]. Soon, we also will have a train station at the Yogyakarta Airport, In the future, we will add more integrated stations and improve their facilities,” Budi Karya said.
Private companies, including taxi operators and ride-hailing service companies such as Gojek Indonesia and Grab, also support the integrated stations’ presence. Many are hoping that these stations would build a new sense of optimism and hope among the people following the Covid-19 large-scale social restrictions. It is hoped that the stations would improve public trust and care that public transportation is becoming more comfortable and safe.
Five stations in phase II
On the occasion, an agreement on “Integrated Renovation on PT Kereta Api Indonesia Stations in Jakarta through Short-Term Action Plan {Quick Win) between the Jakarta administration, PT Kereta Api Indonesia and PT MRT Jakarta” was also signed.
The signing was carried out by Jakarta Transportation Agency head Syafrin Liputo, PT KAI president director Didiek Hartantyo and PT MRT Jakarta president director William P Sabandar.
Four stations that will be revamped next are Manggarai, Palmerah, Gondangdia and Tebet stations. Meanwhile, Anies said Jakarta Kota Station would also be renovated in line with the city’s efforts to revamp the Kota Tua area.
“We needed five months and Rp 25 billion to revamp four stations. For these five stations in the second phase, completion target is three months and we have prepared Rp 40 billion for this,” Anies said.