KAI stops operation of diesel trains

KAI stops operation of diesel trains

BANDUNG, West Java: Thousands of passengers in Bandung, West
Java were stranded on Monday when PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT
KAI) aborted five morning train routes after two of its diesel
trains developed engine trouble.

The routes affected were Bandung to Cicalengka, Rancaekek to
Bandung and Cicalengka to Bandung from 4:45 a.m. to 7:05 a.m.

"We did not repair the engines on the diesel trains that
developed engine trouble last week, and now a similar incident
has happened again," KAI public relations officer Akhmad Sujadi
said on Monday.

Akhmad said his office had failed to repair the engines due to
a scarcity of spare parts.

"Japan as a diesel train producer does not manufacture spare
parts anymore. So it is impossible to repair them," he said.

He said his office had sent five diesel train cars to a repair
shop in Yogyakarta, but that move proved unsuccessful.

"Only two cars were returned, but without the engine," Ahmad
said.

Ahmad said that under normal conditions a diesel train with
five cars could carry between 400 and 500 passengers.

"But the passenger load increases to 300 percent during
morning and evening peak hours," he said. --JP