Operation of Jakarta-Serpong train put off
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)