Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has set a target of around Rp20 trillion as income in 2016, 48.18 percent more from the 2015 level when it recorded an income of around Rp13.5 trillion (unaudited).

"The KAI is optimistic that its income in 2016 will surpass Rp20 trillion with a profit target of Rp1.2 to Rp1.3 trillion," its president director, Edi Sukmoro, said here on Wednesday.

He said in 2016, the company is expected to be able to carry 72.2 million passengers, compared to 68.54 million passengers in 2015.

The shipment of goods, meanwhile, is expected to reach 62.92 million tons, up from 29.65 million tons in 2015, he added.

Sukmoro explained that the targets for 2016 were based on the achievements made in 2015, including the increased number of train services to accommodate growing public demand for mass transportation, including KA Malioboro Ekspress Pagi, KA Perintis Batara Kresna, KA Ekonomi Sidoarjo-Bojonegoro, KA Joglokerto, KA Kertajaya.

He said the hike in cargo shipment was triggered due to a container train becoming operational at Surabaya container terminal in East Java to reactivate the fertilizer train serving Cilacap-Ceper and Cilacap-Prupuk as well as the Bima cement train service.

With regard to the cargo train, Edi said in 2016, the volumes would grow significantly as the double-track cargo railway line in South Sumatra would be completed.

For 2016, PT KAI has made preparation for arranging around Rp8.5 trillion for capital expenditure, including Rp4.5 trillion as new investment.

"The funds would be used to procure more carriages for existing lines or airport train service," he said.

He said PT KAI has been assigned by the government to manage the Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), the Minangkabau (West Sumatra) and the Kulonprogo (Yogyakarta) train services.

"Besides, the PT KAI will certainly be procuring rolling stock, including train engines, carriages and various other service facilities," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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