At a meeting with regional leaders in Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, the President said that even Jakarta, where public transportation is considered the most advanced nationally, still needs to do more to address its air quality issue.
"Although Jakarta now has MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), LRT (Light Rapid Transit), and the high-speed railway aimed to reduce (air pollution), the city's air quality index remains at 190–200, way above the maximum (good quality air) rate of 50," the President noted on Tuesday.
Traffic congestion, combined with bad air quality, can cause health issues in vulnerable residents, such as the elderly and children, he said.
Moreover, traffic congestion has led to potential losses of up to Rp100 trillion (US$6.28 billion) for Jakarta, forcing the authority to address the issue, including by developing public transportation, he informed.
Meanwhile, regarding concerns raised by regional leaders about the potential cost of developing public transportation, Widodo suggested that they consider autonomous rail transit (ART) as an affordable alternative to MRT or LRT.
Autonomous rail transit has been adopted for Nusantara, and the system will serve guests during the Independence Day ceremony in the new capital on August 17.
The President said that the Jakarta MRT's development, during his tenure as governor, cost the province at least Rp1.1 trillion (US$69.04 million). Meanwhile, the per-kilometer cost for LRT was Rp799 billion (US$50.15 million), and the high-speed railway Rp780 billion (US$48.96 million), he added.
In contrast, an ART unit comprising three carriages costs Rp74 billion (US$4.64 million) with the monthly operational cost reaching just Rp500 million (US$31.3 thousand), he pointed out.
He also reminded regional leaders to be attentive to the operational cost of public transportation. As it usually operates at a loss, the local authority needs to subsidize the operation from its budget, he added.
Related news: Public transportation reflects socioeconomic conditions: BRIN
Related news: Public transport key to efficient, equal mobility in Nusantara: OIKN
Related news: President Jokowi inaugurates green public transport development in IKN
Translator: Andi F/Mentari DG, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
