Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-run railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has targeted to transport 53.5 million tons of goods in 2019 with its cargo train service.

"In 2019, we are expected to transport 53.5 million tons of goods," KAI`s President Director Edi Sukmoro said here on Thursday, Jan 10.

Sukmoro stated that the target was set higher than the previous years` achievement where the company has transported 40 million tons of goods in 2017 and 45.5 million tons in 2018.

"We hope that we can work optimally to help the government. Transportation for containers, coal, various commodities in bulk, and others which have been made via road, can be transported using freight trains to avoid traffic jam," he noted.

Although cargo trains are yet to become the main option for logistic transportation in Java Island, it has become the main preference in Sumatra.

This is mainly in Java, because the cargo trains do not provide "point-to-point" service but only transports the goods from one railway station to another.

"They (businessmen) want the direct transportation service from the factory to the warehouse. That is why we want to find a solution to this problem," he remarked.

The government`s regulation on Over Dimension Over Loading (ODOL) is also expected to encourage logistic business operators to use cargo train.

"The regulation will took effect in 2019 and this will encourage logistic business operators to shift to railway transportation," Sukmoro revealed.

Reporting by Ade Irma Junida
Editing by Suharto

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Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
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