Government wants other regions to construct LRT

0 - JAKARTA. The government has invited other regions to develop light rapid transit (LRT) projects. Currently, the transportation infrastructure is being developed in Jakarta and Palembang, both of which will host the 2018 Asian Games.   

“We have to start to change our state of mind about the current state of transportation infrastructure. We have to shift to mass public transportation,” said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi during the “LRT untuk siapa?” (LRT for who?) discussion on Saturday.

He said the LRT projects in Jakarta and Palembang had to inspire other regions to do the same because such projects would not just be used for the Asian Games, but also help the two cities transform their transportation systems.

“Palembang is lucky in that it has become a pilot city with its LRT. This could help the city progress to become a metropolitan city," he said, adding that the LRT would also support tourism.

The construction of the 23.4 kilometer Palembang LRT has reached 78 percent of completion. It is equipped with 13 stations.

The LRT project is being developed in two phases in Jakarta. The Greater Jakarta LRT will depart from Bogor, Bekasi, Cawang, Kuningan and terminate at Sudirman Station, while the Jakarta LRT will depart from Kelapa Gading, Rawamangun, Manggarai and also terminate at Sudirman Station.