INDONESIA’s president, Prabowo Subianto, has approved a request from state-owned operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) to procure 30 new trains for the Greater Jakarta KRL Commuterline network.
PT KAI says additional trains are necessary to meet rising passenger demand in the Greater Jakarta region, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek).
According to local media outlet Antara News Agency, Prabowo asked PT KAI president, Bobby Rasyidin, how long he would need to fulfil the order, while speaking at the inauguration of the renovated Tanah Abang station in Jakarta on November 4.
Rasyidin replied that he would need six months and the president responded that the deadline for procuring the new trains would be one year, noting the vital role played by rail in supporting the economy. "Wealthy people may use planes or private cars, but most of our citizens benefit from railway services," Prabowo said.
He confirmed that he had approved PT KAI's budget proposal for expanding the Jakarta commuter fleet and had allocated Rupiah 5 trillion ($US 299m), after PT KAI had requested Rupiah 4.8 trillion, representing a cost of $US 9m per train.
He said the additional funding demonstrated the government's commitment to improving public transport in the region. “We are saving money and channelling it to serve the people’s interests above all else," Prabowo said.
Infrastructure development
Prabowo also highlighted plans to develop rail infrastructure beyond Java, including in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. "This is important because rail services can help reduce logistics costs, ease economic burdens, and ultimately improve people's welfare," he said. Prabowo has tasked coordinating minister for infrastructure and regional development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, to oversee this expansion.
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