It is a rational choice to appoint PT KAI to lead the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project, as the company has extensive experience in the railway industry
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance's (Indef's) economic expert, Eko Listyanto, believes state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia's (PT KAI's) leadership in the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project will be a rational, suitable decision.

"It is a rational choice to appoint PT KAI to lead the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project, as the company has extensive experience in the railway industry," Listyanto told ANTARA in Jakarta, Tuesday.

According to Listyanto, PT KAI can serve as a project leader if the company's shares in the state-owned Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project consortium PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia increased.

Apart from easing mobility between Jakarta and Bandung, the high-speed rail could also enhance regional development, especially in regions served by the high-speed train and along the railway route, Listyanto noted.


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As the national train operator, PT KAI, has a significant role in regions served by the company, especially in areas close to commuter train stations and along the rail tracks before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"PT KAI has proven to reinvigorate and encourage economic activities along the areas served," Listyanto affirmed.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had informed that the work to construct the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail was 73-percent complete, with its pilot operational trial expected to take place at the end of 2022.


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President Jokowi called for service integration with the Jakarta MRT and the Jabodebek LRT upon completion of the high-speed railway system to bolster efficiency and drive economic activities in the region.

The president is also optimistic that development of the high-speed railway would encourage technology and knowledge transfer on the construction of high-speed rail and its operations to Indonesian experts, thereby facilitating independent development in future.


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Translator: Aji Cakti, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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