Operation of Jakarta-Serpong train put off

JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned PERUMKA railway company has postponed the scheduled opening of an electric train line between Jakarta and the suburb of Serpong due to a limited number of cars and technical problems.

Company spokesman Bambang Waluyodjati said that the electric cables between Serpong and Tanah Abang station in Central Jakarta, and between Tanah Abang and Kota station are not yet complete.

"They need some technical adjustments," Bambang said when reached by telephone yesterday.

He also said that presently the company has only 33 electric cars for its Jakarta, Depok and Bogor routes. Two of these cars were involved in last November's train crash in Citayam, West Java and are still being repaired.

According to him, even though 33 cars are not enough to cover the current routes, "we're going to allow one of the trains to continue on to Serpong."

Officials of the company, while accompanying Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto and Land Transportion Director General Soejono to Serpong by train, said in February that they were going to start an electric train as early as the beginning of this month.

Analysts say that the addition of electric service, much faster than diesel-powered trains, will encourage commuters in the suburbs west of Jakarta to ride the train, thus reducing the traffic congestion during peak hours.

As of yesterday, the company still could not determine when the street cars will begin running.

The number one man at the company, Anwar Suprijadi, was not available for comment.

Some transport officials and management from PT Eka Jaya Kridatama, a local contractor which manages the electrical works, visited Tanah Abang station to observe the final preparations yesterday.

Ismani, a PERUMKA official supervising Jakarta and West Java, said that all technical matters have been settled.

The official, however, declined to give further comment on when the faster trains will begin running.

An official of PT Eka Jaya Kridatama noted that they had already adjusted the electrical problems in three separate stations: Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta, Pondok Ranji and Sudimara, both in Tangerang, West Java.

Bambang, however, added that PERUMKA will also conduct a training course on the new electrical system for its train operators. (09)