Jakarta (ANTARA) - The construction of the Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Bekasi (Jabodebek) Light Rapid Transit (LRT) has reached 95.09 percent completion as of June 2023, according to an official at the Transportation Ministry.

"We only need to complete the calibration of the operating system," said Risal Wasal, the ministry's Director General of Railways, in a press release.

In addition to the physical development of the project, the ministry aims to finalize the registration of the operating permit in July.

Alongside ensuring the operational readiness of the Jabodebek LRT, the ministry is preparing for the intermodal integration of the new LRT service with other modes of transportation.

"Integration of transportation modes is important to be prepared before launching the LRT," he said.

The Jabodebek LRT will be integrated with various transportation modes, including the TransJakarta bus rapid transit (BRT), Greater Jakarta Electric Commuter Rail (KRL), and Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

At Halim LRT Station, integration will also include the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train (KJCB), TransJakarta's RoyalTrans bus service, taxis, and shuttle buses, according to Wasal.

The soft launch of the Jabodebek LRT's operation is expected to occur in August.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and Acting Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono visited the LRT train shed at Dukuh Atas LRT Station.

Sumadi stated that the new transportation mode will be able to serve 500 thousand passengers daily.

He highlighted that the journey from Dukuh Atas LRT Station in Jakarta to Jatimulya LRT Station in Bekasi City, West Java, only takes 39 minutes, much faster than traveling by car on the highway, which typically takes 2 hours.

Meanwhile, Hartono revealed that the trial operation of the LRT is scheduled from July 12 to August 18.

He expressed hope that the operation of the new transport mode would alleviate traffic congestion in Jakarta.

Related news: Residents asked to prepare for Halim LRT Station construction
Related news: KAI's investment in fast train, LRT is business breakthrough: DPR




Translator: Walda Marison, Uyu Liman
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2023