Megawati to launch commuter trains

SURABAYA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected on Monday to inaugurate a new commuter train that will link the East Java provincial capital, Surabaya, with Sidoarjo.

"The President will be accompanied by Minister of Communications Agum Gumelar, State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi and State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim," train director Haris Fabillah from the Ministry of Communications said here on Tuesday.

The inauguration ceremony was originally slated for Feb. 19, but was rescheduled to Monday.

Harris said the Surabaya-Sidoarjo route was just the first phase, as it would be extended from Sidoarjo to Tarik district in Sidoarjo and to Pasar Turi district in Surabaya. The train will run from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Operation of the commuter train is aimed at easing traffic congestion in Surabaya, the capital of East Java. -- Antara