"The plan is to test three carriage trains by operating them from the National Axis through West Axis and East Axis, with a headway of five minutes," he remarked at the Garuda Palace, IKN, East Kalimantan, on Monday.
Sumadi also noted that the trains, delivered from China, had arrived in Balikpapan, a neighboring city of Nusantara.
The minister explained that the Indonesian government will collaborate with Chinese state-owned enterprises CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co. Ltd. and Norinco to conduct the planned trial. During the trial period from August to December 2024, free ART services will be available.
"We will use roads and road markings that have been built and installed by the IKN Authority (OIKN) and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing," Sumadi stated.
On the occasion, the minister also spoke of President Joko Widodo's keenness to designate the ART as one of the transportation modes available for IKN residents.
"Since my first report (about ART) to the president, he expressed high enthusiasm in making the train available at the IKN," he stated.
Earlier, on June 4, President Widodo proposed ART as a new alternative for mass transportation services to reduce congestion in Indonesia's urban regions.
Addressing all Indonesian mayors in Balikpapan, the head of state underlined that ART offers significantly lower infrastructure development costs as compared to other mass transportation options in Indonesia, such as mass rapid transit (MRT), light rail transit (LRT), and high-speed trains.
In this regard, he presented ART as a more affordable option for public transportation, with expenses primarily borne by regional governments, while the central government contributes through subsidies.
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Translator: Andi F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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