The additional budget was granted in response to a report from PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin, who stated that the company required Rp4.8 trillion to procure new train sets to meet rising passenger demand in the Greater Jakarta region, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek).
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly renovated Tanah Abang Station in Jakarta, President Prabowo said that since the railway system benefits a large portion of the public, he had no hesitation in approving a higher allocation than initially requested.
“For Jabodetabek, the KAI director said more carriages and new train sets are needed. One train set costs around US$9 million, correct? He proposed a total of Rp4.8 trillion. I approved it—in fact, I will allocate not Rp4.8 trillion, but Rp5 trillion. If it’s for the benefit of the people, I have no hesitation,” Prabowo said.
The Rp5 trillion budget is intended for the procurement of around 30 new train sets, which the Indonesian President has instructed PT KAI to deliver within one year.
“Within a year, it must be done. The people here are witnesses. Later, there will be 30 new train sets. I also tried it earlier—it is clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned,” he added.
During the visit, President Prabowo, accompanied by his aides, boarded the KRL Commuter Line from Manggarai Station to the new Tanah Abang Station, interacting with passengers along the way.
At Tanah Abang, he emphasized that train services are strategic and vital in supporting Indonesians’ daily mobility, noting that 486 million passengers used rail services nationwide last year.
“Trains and all forms of mass transportation, the mass transit system, are part of modern society’s way of life, and they are extremely strategic and vital,” said the President.
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Translator: Genta/Andi, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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