New train to Surabaya

JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned railway company Perumka started operating their Sembrani train yesterday, which will make the Jakarta-Surabaya trip in 10 hours.

The company's executive in Surabaya, Soedaryono, said that the new service will increase Perumka's passenger capacity to some 4,000 per day.

"The growth rate of train passengers on the Jakarta-Surabaya route is 11 percent per year," the Antara news agency quoted Soedaryono as saying.

Perumka currently operates several trains on the Jakarta- Surabaya route including the Argo Bromo, Bima, Mutiara, Jayabaya and Suryajaya.

Sembrani, which was officially launched by Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto in Surabaya yesterday, charges Rp 80,000 (US$$35.3) per passenger. (icn)