MRT Jakarta decides on Ancol as site of depot in Phase II construction

MRT - JAKARTA. North Jakarta's Ancol area has been selected as the site of a depot that is to be constructed during the second phase of the MRT Jakarta development project.

Ancol was chosen because it still had sufficiently large open spaces, as 9.4 hectares would be needed for the depot, said William Sabandar, the president director of city-owned operator PT Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Jakarta.

The decision was made on Wednesday following a board meeting involving the company and the Jakarta administration.

“The depot will be located in western Ancol. The Jakarta and central governments are currently processing the [necessary] administration,” William said as quoted by kompas.com.

The construction schedule is to be determined.

“Financing for the construction will be arranged by Japan. The second phase will commence as soon as this is arranged,” said William, referring to the JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency).

JICA is shelling out 70.21 billion yen (US$625.15 million) to finance Phase II of the MRT Jakarta development project.

MRT Jakarta had initially planned to build the depot on land belonging to railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) in North Jakarta's Kampung Bandan subdistrict, but the plot was already leased to another party.

Phase II of the MRT project will install a railway to connect Bundaran HI Station in Central Jakarta and Kota Station in West Jakarta.