Three-level transit system to start in June<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Construction of Jakarta's three-level transit
\nsystem is expected to commence in June, amid a dispute on whether
\na presidential decree is needed and the uncertainty of the
\nfunding scheme.<\/p>\n
Bambang Soeroso, chief executive officer of Citra Group, said
\nwork would begin on April 21 with field preparations, including
\nsoil investigation and drilling.<\/p>\n
The system was proposed by the Citra business group, led by
\nPresident Soeharto's eldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.<\/p>\n
\"The ground breaking is expected to start in June,\" Bambang
\ntold reporters at a breaking of the fast gathering at his
\nresidence Friday.<\/p>\n
The first segment of the overhead transit system would be
\nbuilt at the Kebayoran Lama Railway Station to Gelora.<\/p>\n
The system is planned to stretch from Kebayoran Lama to
\nCinere, both in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He said the project would need no presidential decree.
\n\"We will build a toll road and light rail transit system. We have
\nobtained the decrees from the ministers of public works and
\ntransportation,\" he said. \"But if the presidential decree is a
\nmust, we will obtain that. That will be okay.\"<\/p>\n
Minister of Public Works Radinal Moochtar had earlier said a
\npresidential decree would not be necessary prior to commencement
\nof construction.<\/p>\n
Deputy Governor for Economic and Development Affairs TB. M.
\nRais said, however, that the system required a presidential
\ndecree to start.<\/p>\n
The system will consist of a mass transit system in the form
\nof an elevated railway track for light rail transit, a highway
\nand arterial roads.<\/p>\n
A presidential decree would be needed to decide which agency
\nwould manage it.<\/p>\n
According to the proposal, the three-level transit system
\nwould cost Rp 5.8 trillion.<\/p>\n
Bambang said many foreign and local investors had shown
\ninterest in the huge project. Some foreign financial sources had
\nalso offered loans to the Citra Group for the project.<\/p>\n
\"We are still determining the potential of local funding.
\nCombining three transportation modes is something new. Therefore,
\nthe financial scheme will be different from the projects we have
\ncarried out in the past,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"This is a huge project. We need loans, and 40 percent of the
\nloans may be from foreign financiers,\" he added.<\/p>\n
According to Bambang, the number of companies joining the
\nconsortium to deal with the three-level transit project might
\nreach more than 60. \"Among them will be companies from Canada,
\nHong Kong and Singapore.\"<\/p>\n
Apart from the three-level transit system, a subway project is
\nalso being planned to ease the city's traffic.<\/p>\n
The subway project, which is scheduled to start in April, is
\nnow awaiting a presidential decree before commencement.<\/p>\n
The US$1.5 billion subway for the Mass Rapid Transit system
\nwill connect Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota.<\/p>\n
The 14.5-kilometer underground subway would be built by a
\nconsortium of Indonesian, Japanese and German companies, called
\nthe Indonesian Japan European Group.<\/p>\n
Reports said Bambang Trihatmodjo, President Soeharto's son,
\nhas joined the consortium.<\/p>\n
The subway project was proposed by a study team under the
\nauspices of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of
\nTechnology, led by B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
Reports on the construction of the subway have apparently
\nconfused Jakartans over which project will be chosen to deal with
\nthe city's traffic dilemma.<\/p>\n
Deputy Governor TB. M. Rais had earlier said an elevated
\nrailway or subway would be suitable, while observers were worried
\nthat if the two huge projects were begun at the same time,
\ntraffic in the capital would become worse.<\/p>\n
Bambang Soeroso said there was nothing to worry about. \"We
\nhave discussed ways on how to avoid disrupting the normal flow of
\ntraffic with all parties involved in the projects. The subway
\nproject would affect the flow of traffic very little,\" he said.
\n(sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-level-transit-system-to-start-in-june-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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