"Railways have the potential to be the most environmentally friendly mode of transport in Indonesia and could play a central role in achieving both national and global zero-emission targets by 2060," he remarked here on Tuesday.
He made the statement while opening the 2025 Indonesia Railway Conference, themed "Railway Transformation for Innovation and Sustainable Development," at Jiexpo Kemayoran.
According to the Asian Transport Outlook 2024, the railway sector contributes almost no national CO2 emissions, while road transport accounts for 89.7 percent; maritime transport, 5.5 percent; and air transport, 4.8 percent.
To realize environmentally friendly transportation, Yudhoyono said investment is needed to revitalize Indonesia’s railway infrastructure, including electrification and the improvement of more than 75 critical railway bridges, most of which are over a century old.
"This is fundamental to ensuring long-term safety, reliability, and resilience," he noted.
He also stated that Indonesia's commitment to integrated transport connectivity is reflected in the drafting of the National Transportation System Bill.
The proposed bill aims to simplify and harmonize the regulatory framework by simplifying 12 laws, six government regulations, five presidential regulations, and four ministerial decrees.
The bill is designed to enable integrated multimodal transportation and enhance coordination across regions and institutions. Moreover, it aims to support national goals, including achieving an economic growth of eight percent.
"This includes accelerating development in eastern Indonesia and strengthening national resilience in terms of food, water, and energy security," Yudhoyono stated.
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Translator: Zulfikar, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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