AHY states reducing road congestion is one objective of railway development

Jakarta — Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) stated that the railway sector must continue to be developed in order to reduce the burden on roads.

“According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Transport, 143.9 million journeys will occur during the Eid holiday season this year, and 52 per cent will use private vehicles,” AHY said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to him, in terms of facilities, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Indonesia Railways) already has adequate infrastructure and has seen improvements in service provision from year to year.

AHY said that the momentum to develop the railway sector should also be pursued to reduce the burden on roads, as the Ministry of Transport survey showed that during this Eid exodus there would be 143.9 journeys, with 52 per cent using private vehicles, the second most common being motorcycles and the third being public buses.

From this data, AHY noted that all vehicles use roads, which will result in increased concentration and traffic congestion that must be anticipated on major arterial routes.

“The momentum to develop the railway sector is also aimed at reducing the burden on roads,” he said.

He added that as railway infrastructure continues to expand, more people will use trains.

Therefore, AHY said, the policy to develop the railway sector would provide the public with options in the aspects of transportation and connectivity.

“Provided that the trains are ready, there are more carriages, more seating capacity, and the tracks are strengthened,” he concluded.