Skytrain to start operations next month at Soetta

JAKARTA. Skytrain – driverless train – has arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Baten, awaiting the commencement of operations next month, connecting the three terminals of the airport.

The skytrain – which is also known as an automated people mover system (APMS) – is now parked at Terminal 3 of the airport.

State-owned construction firm PT Wijaya Karya (Wika) corporate secretary Puspita Anggraeni said the construction of the skytrain track had reached 88 percent completion and the company would begin trial operations on June 20.

Initially, a two car train with a capacity of 176 people will connect Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 in June, said Puspita as reported by tribunnews.com on Monday.

Beginning in August, the skytrain will be fully operational, with three trains with a combined capacity of 528 people connecting Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, Puspita added.

Previously, state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II (AP II) president director Muhammad Awaluddin said the headway of the skytrain would be 5 minutes, with 7 minutes needed to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.

The train would move at 60 kilometers per hour and would be equipped with automated guideway transit (AGT) technology.

Investment for the project is estimated at Rp 950 billion (US$71.25 million), which includes the construction of infrastructure and the procurement of moving stock.

The skytrain itself is built by state-owned company PT LEN in cooperation with Woojin from South Korea, while the infrastructure is handled PT Wijaya Karya Tbk and PT Indulexco.