"The MRT project is being reviewed to consider the possibility of its construction," Bambang Susantono said, on the sidelines of a discussion of traffic jams in Jakarta here over the weekend.
He noted that besides reviewing its feasibility, the other aspect of the MRT project, which was being reviewed, was its tariff rate, because of the enormous funding the project would require.
Bambang noted that there were many ways to reduce construction costs, among others by selling advertisements in the MRT, which could become a source of income so subsidies could be reduced.
He also said that the MRT tariff, which was set at Rp38,000, was seen to be too burdensome for the public. Therefore, at present, the amount of subsidies by the central government and the Jakarta regional administration are still being calculated.
Earlier, Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said the Jakarta government objected to the refund of loans used to develop the project, which were set at 43 percent by the central government and 58 percent by the regional government of Jakarta.
Joko Widodo asked that the central government bear 70 percent, while the Jakarta government provides 30 percent.
With a loan burden that is not too large, the Jakarta administration hoped it would be able to provide subsidies for commuters so that the MRT tariff could be set at the lowest possible rate of about Rp10,000 per ticket.
Late last month, the Jakarta governor gave the go-ahead for the project. However, he said, although the project will proceed, a decision has yet to be taken on MRT ticket prices.
The management of PT MRT Jakarta had said that the MRT ticket was expected to be set at Rp15,000.
"According to initial calculations, the price of the ticket was set at Rp38,000, which excludes a subsidy of Rp19,000. So, that would make the price of a ticket Rp19,000. But it`s still expensive. We hope there would be more subsidies so the price could be lowered to Rp15,000. Yet, a larger subsidy would burden the regional government," Jokowi said.
"I hope the price gets as low as Rp9,000, or US$1, similar to those in other countries," he stated.
"But at that price, the subsidy the regional government would have to bear would be too large. We cannot afford it. Therefore, we should seek assistance from the central government," Jokowi explained.
Earlier, PT MRT Jakarta president director Tribudi Rahardjo said the per kilometer construction cost of the project would be Rp1 trillion.
The figure was obtained by dividing the total estimated cost of the project, set at Rp16 trillion, with the length of the MRT, which will stretch 15.7 km from Lebak Bulus area in South Jakarta to Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta.
(A014/INE/H-YH)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
