Two weeks before launch, LRT yet to obtain permit

LRT - JAKARTA. Light Rail Transit (LRT) Transjakarta recently announced it would start carrying passengers on Feb. 25, but city-owned PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), which built the new transportation service, has not yet obtained an operating permit from the Jakarta administration.

Jakpro Jakarta LRT project director Iwan Takwin said the Jakarta Transportation Agency first needed a recommendation from the Transportation Ministry before issuing the permit.

“The Transportation Agency is still waiting for the recommendation from the ministry,” Iwan said as reported by kompas.com on Tuesday.

Before issuing such a recommendation, Iwan added, the ministry had to conduct a series tests to ensure the LRT was ready to operate.

The ministry’s train examination office had issued certificates for the LRT’s eight cars. It is currently examining the LRT’s stations and depot.

Iwan said he was optimistic that the Transportation Agency would issue the operational license before the end of February.

The first LRT corridor runs 5.8 kilometers from the Velodrome in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, to Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta.