Railway schedules changed to cut travel time

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung

At least 16 main trains operating in Java will have new schedules starting on Jan. 17, which are expected to cut travel time and reduce the number of delayed trains.

Spokesperson of PT Kereta Api Indonesia, Noor Hamidi, said the change of schedules were in line with the completion of construction work on some of the tracks.

Among the tracks, include routes connecting Sukatani- Padalarang in Bandung, Kebonromo-Sragen in Yogyakarta, and two lines in the East Java town of Madiun -- Kedungbanteng-Walikukun, and Kedungalar-Paron.

Sixteen trains that will have new schedules include business/executive trains Argobromo Anggrek (Surabaya-Jakarta), Gajayana train (Malang-Jakarta), Bima train (Surabaya-Jakarta), Turangga train (Bandung-Surabaya), Mutiara Selatan train (Bandung- Surabaya), Argo Wilis (Bandung-Surabaya) and Lodaya train (Bandung-Surakarta).

For economy class trains, the new routes will affect Pasundan train (Surabaya-Kiaracondong, Bandung) and Kahuripan train (Padalarang in Bandung-Kediri in East Java).

"With the change of routes, we'll assure passengers that their trips will be at least 30 minutes shorter, even for trains such as Turangga with the route connecting Bandung-Surabaya could be one hour faster," Hamidi told reporters in Bandung on Thursday.

A faster train trip is important, he added, because trains, especially long-distance ones, have to compete with airplanes that have a shorter flight time and now have cheaper tickets.

He said the train company also aimed to reduce the number of delayed arrivals and departures.

In 2003 the average delay was almost one hour and in 2004 20 minutes.

According to company data, delayed trains cost the company between Rp 25,000 and Rp 30,000 per minute.