Surabaya to launch commuter train<\/p>\n
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
The Surabaya administration held a trial-run for an inner-city
\ncommuter train on Thursday, the same day the Jakarta
\nadministration launched its controversial busway project.<\/p>\n
The trial began at about 8:30 a.m., when the train left
\nSurabaya heading to Sidoarjo city, passing several train
\nstations. The train started its run from Gubeng station in
\ndowntown Surabaya to Wonokromo station, Jemursari, Makro,
\nComfeed, Pagerwojo and ended at Waru station in Sidoarjo, a
\nsatellite city of Surabaya.<\/p>\n
It took an hour to reach Sidoarjo from Surabaya, with a
\ncruising speed of 80 kilometers per hour. It saved a lot of time,
\nas normally, it would take one to two hours to travel by other
\nmeans of public transportation, such as bus, that is if there are
\nno traffic jams.<\/p>\n
Between Semut and Gubeng stations, for example, it took only
\nsix minutes -- record time given the distance. The public
\nwelcomed the new commuter train, hoping that it would solve the
\nproblem of traffic jams, which have begun to hassle Surabaya
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
However, the administration and state train operator PT Kereta
\nApi Indonesia will need to work harder to improve the train. The
\ntrain had no garbage bins, toilets or hand grips for standing
\npassengers.<\/p>\n
The head of East Java's Communications office, Eddy T. Sagala,
\nacknowledged that the train was still far from perfect.<\/p>\n
\"There are still flaws, but they can be improved,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The administration, he said, was preparing three commuter
\ntrains, each with four cars.<\/p>\n
Every car is able to carry 64 passengers, with a fare of Rp
\n2,000 per trip. The commuter train service will be up and running
\nin early February.<\/p>",
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