Bintaro to get commuter train

JAKARTA: The developer of Bintaro Jaya, PT Jaya Real Property, signed an agreement with state-run train company PT KAI on Saturday to provide an air-conditioned express commuter train for residents.

PT KAI will provide four cars with a total capacity of 250 passengers. The train will travel from Bintaro in Tangerang to Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. Tickets will cost Rp 6,000 (72 US cents).

"If we receive a good response, we will add more cars. We have six cars in reserve," said the operational head for PT KAI in Greater Jakarta, Rachmadi.

He also said that should demand for the commuter trains increase, the company would increase the frequency of trips from three times a day to five times.

Bintaro Jaya marketing division head MA Swandayani said that in the future, about 27,000 people were expected to take the commuter trains, which would allow them to reach downtown Jakarta in 30 minutes, compared to two hours by car.

PT KAI spokesman Zaenal Abidin said the main obstacle to the project was the single track from Bintaro to Jl. Sudirman.

"Currently, we will only use the existing track. If we want to make it a double track, we will need an investment of between Rp 5 billion and Rp 8 billion," he said. -- Antara