Surabaya to launch commuter train

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

The Surabaya administration held a trial-run for an inner-city commuter train on Thursday, the same day the Jakarta administration launched its controversial busway project.

The trial began at about 8:30 a.m., when the train left Surabaya heading to Sidoarjo city, passing several train stations. The train started its run from Gubeng station in downtown Surabaya to Wonokromo station, Jemursari, Makro, Comfeed, Pagerwojo and ended at Waru station in Sidoarjo, a satellite city of Surabaya.

It took an hour to reach Sidoarjo from Surabaya, with a cruising speed of 80 kilometers per hour. It saved a lot of time, as normally, it would take one to two hours to travel by other means of public transportation, such as bus, that is if there are no traffic jams.

Between Semut and Gubeng stations, for example, it took only six minutes -- record time given the distance. The public welcomed the new commuter train, hoping that it would solve the problem of traffic jams, which have begun to hassle Surabaya residents.

However, the administration and state train operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia will need to work harder to improve the train. The train had no garbage bins, toilets or hand grips for standing passengers.

The head of East Java's Communications office, Eddy T. Sagala, acknowledged that the train was still far from perfect.

"There are still flaws, but they can be improved," he said.

The administration, he said, was preparing three commuter trains, each with four cars.

Every car is able to carry 64 passengers, with a fare of Rp 2,000 per trip. The commuter train service will be up and running in early February.