Monorail project to be redesigned

Damar Harsanto, Jakarta

Developer PT Jakarta Monorail will alter the monorail route following several snags in the development of the project, which was launched on June 14 in a ceremony officiated by President Megawati Soekarnoputri. The new design should be finalized by the end of August.

"The monorail will no longer encircle Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta," assistant to the city secretary for development Affairs IGKG Suena said on Monday on the sidelines of a ceremony to launch the construction of Jakarta New Port in East Ancol, North Jakarta.

Previously, Megawati, through the state secretary, had asked the city administration to reroute the monorail line so that it no longer encircled the sports complex.

Suena said the administration planned to meet with state secretary officials to discuss the matter.

"The meeting is scheduled for this week," he said.

According to the new design, the monorail will not pass through crowded Jl. Lontar in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Residents of the road had earlier rejected the plan, forcing the developer to propose alternative access to its planned car depot above the West Flood Canal by using an elevated track instead of Jl. Lontar.

"However, we will still widen the road, regardless of whether the monorail will pass through it or not. This year, we will inform the residents of the plan. Next year, we will allocate money from the city budget for land clearance," Suena said.

He added that the roadwork was necessary to provide alternative access to Tanah Abang market.

In addition, Suena said, the administration was looking into the possibility of altering the route of the Blue Line to Mal Taman Anggrek in West Jakarta, instead of Roxy, also in West Jakarta.

"We are still considering an alternative route (to Mal Taman Anggrek) based on the number of passengers who would potentially use the monorail," he said.

President director of the developer Ruslan Diwirjo confirmed Suena's information. "This time, we have to be precise in every aspect of the design," he said.

The monorail project will comprise two lines: The Green Line will serve 17 stations along a 14.8 kilometer route through lucrative business areas in the city, including Kuningan, Sudirman and Senayan areas, while the 12.2 kilometer Blue Line will serve 13 stations along the Kampung Melayu-Roxy route.

The Green Line will be operational in December 2006, and the Blue Line in early 2007.

The monorail is projected to carry up to 270,000 passengers per day with fares ranging between Rp 3,500 and Rp 7,500 for a one-way trip.