KCI Imports Trains from China for IDR 783 Billion, to Start Operating Next Year

COMMUTER LINE - JAKARTA. PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) has officially announced that it will import three sets of Electric Rail Trains (KRL) from China at a total cost of IDR 783 billion. 

KAI Commuter Corporate Secretary Anne Purba stated that these imported KRLs are planned to start serving passengers 16 months after the order. 

It is known that KCI officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to import KRLs from China since the end of last January. This means that these imported KRLs will start operating around May 2025. 

"The total arrival time is 15 months and there will be a trial run, and by the 16th month, it can start serving passengers," said Anne in a press conference at her office, Tuesday (6/2). 

Anne stated that all sets of these imported KRLs can arrive in Indonesia within 15 months after the order. 

In the next stage, the KRLs that have arrived will undergo a trial run and certification from the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA). 

"The target is to pass the test first by running 4,000 km, so there must be certification from DJKA before operating," explained Anne. 

Previously, Anne revealed her reasons for importing KRLs from China. One of them is the issue of more competitive prices than Japan and South Korea, which also offered proposals to Indonesia. 

In addition, Anne confirmed that the KRLs from China also meet the technical specifications set by the government. 

"For example, AC, because AC is for technical capacity in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, it varies. And this is what they adjust to the conditions in Indonesia, so there are several things including the extent of free space, then the use of infrastructure, and others they study everything," explained Anne.