Transportation Ministry guarantees the completion of high-speed train and LRT projects is as scheduled
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Menhub Jamin Proyek KA Cepat dan LRT Sesuai Target
23 November 2018
By Thresa Sandra Desfika
Jakarta — Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi guarantees that the temporary postponement of work on the Jabodebek Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Jakarta – Bandung High-speed Railway project along the KM 11-17 of the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road will not affect the target time for completion of the two projects. The Jabodebek LRT is targeted to begin trial in mid-2019. Meanwhile, the Jakarta – Bandung High-speed Railway is expected to be operational by 2021.
“There are no issues with the target of completing the project. The postponement is only for certain areas and temporary in its nature,” Budi Karya said after the Meeting between the Ministry of Transportation and Commission V of the House of Representatives in relation to the Lion Air PK-LQP disaster in Jakarta, Thursday (11/22).
He stressed that the temporary postponement of the Jabodebek LRT and the Jakarta – Bandung High-speed Railway projects was an instruction from him. However, the postponement will only apply to certain points, namely around KM 11-17 Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road.
“This is an instruction, but only for certain areas, so as to be coordinative. Approximately at KM 11 to 17. And it will be further reconciled regarding who will carry out construction there. There will be time for that,” explained Budi.
According to him, the meeting invited all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, PT Jasa Marga Tbk, PT Adhi Karya Tbk, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) and the Indonesian Truck Entrepreneurs Association (Aptrindo).
The Minister of Transportation expects the project to be carried out at the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road will not overlap in one area which will cause congestion.
“If you build according to the target. If you have not done it there yet, then why do it there, instead of doing it somewhere else,” said the Minister of Transportation.
Head of the Communication and Public Information Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation, Hengki Angkasawan said that the government has implemented a policy to arrange working schedule for the three projects along the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road in an effort to reduce congestion, especially in certain areas with high congestion levels. The three projects are the construction of the Jakarta – Cikampek Flyover Toll Road, Jakarta – Bandung High-speed Railway, and the Jabodebek LRT.
"Basically, we ask the executors of these three projects to take turns doing projects in areas with high congestion levels by conducting time and location management. Therefore, the construction of the three projects are not carried out at the same time,” explained Hengki.
He added, project management setting should be carried out by temporarily halting the construction of the Jakarta – Bandung High-speed Railway and the Jabodebek LRT projects in the KM 11-17 area of the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road. The reason is that the two projects have completion targets that are longer than the completion target of the Jakarta – Cikampek Flyover Toll Road. In addition, from the reports of PT Jasa Marga and the Police, the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road between KM 11 to 17 is a high-traffic area.
“So the request to postpone the project will only apply to certain areas along approximately 5 kilometres which are considered as areas having frequent traffic jams,” he said.
Hengki added, the government has also prepared measures to reduce the level of congestion in the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road, such as the odd-even policy at the West Bekasi, East Bekasi Toll Gates. Currently being socialized at the Tambun Toll Gate; limitation on the operational hours of class III, IV and V freight transportation passing through the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road; and the implementation of special lanes for bus transportation on the toll road that applies every Monday – Friday at 06.00-09.00 WIB except national holidays.
As compensation, continued Hengki, the government through the Jabodetabek Transportation Management Agency (BPTJ) shall provide mass transportation, namely premium buses, as the preferred transportation in addition to private vehicles for people who want to head towards Jakarta.
“Odd-even policy enforcement and restrictions on the operational hours of freight transportation will be extended to start from 05.00 am to 10:00 am so that it has more impact on increasing the smooth flow of traffic on the Toll Road,” said Hengki.
Not Postponed
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation along with PT Jasa Marga Tbk, PT Adhi Karya Tbk, and other stakeholders held a coordination meeting in relation to the continuation of three national strategic projects (PSN) around the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road. PT Adhi Karya President Director, Budi Harto revealed, the meeting issued resolutions, one of which was that the Jabodebek LRT would not be postponed.
“Directions from the Minister of Transportation expects Jasa Marga to utilize construction management to regulate the stages of contractor work so that it could minimize the effect of congestion. There is no work postponement for the LRT project,” Budi said when contacted on Thursday.
According to him, LRT activities around the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road are in six points, namely the Cikunir long span, Bekasi long span, 13 + 400 feeding point, Cikunir Station, West Bekasi Station, and East Bekasi Station.
“The Bekasi River long span will be completed by mid-December 2018. Cikunir long span is expected to complete on March 15, 2019 as agreed by the other contractors and Jasa Marga,” said Budi.
He added, the construction of the station will be carried out using 250-ton cranes located on land outside the toll road so as not to interfere with toll road activities.
“The parties were asked to hold an agreed schedule. And the Director General of Land Transportation asked Adhi Karya to schedule activities that wouldn’t disrupt the toll road,” Budi said.
