The Delhi Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) of India has invited city-owned subway developer and operator PT MRT Jakarta (MRTJ) to help develop the system in the capital.

Governor Fauzi Bowo said Wednesday the invitation would encourage MRTJ officials to follow the success of the system development in India.

"Delhi MRT invites MRTJ to learn about the MRT system development and offers technical assistants," he told reporters at City Hall.

"Both of us started feasibility studies for the system about 15 years ago. But Delhi MRT now has two lines and provides good services for commuters. This can be a good example."

Fauzi, however, refused to say the project had gone very slow in Jakarta.

"The system development is neither faster in Delhi nor slower in Jakarta. But the project in Delhi started earlier with less costs than initially projected," he said.

He also said MRT Jakarta might ask for assistance if necessary.

The Jakarta administration and the central government are jointly developing the MRT system in an attempt to address Jakarta's abysmal traffic conditions.

The project is estimated to cost a total of US$800 million, with 85 percent of the funding (Rp 8.3 trillion) coming from Japan Bank for International Cooperation loans.

The government will pay for 42 percent of the loans at an annual interest rate of 0.4 percent, while the administration will cover the remainder.

The project's first phase, estimated to cost Rp 200 billion ($21.69 million), consists of feasibility studies, the establishment of MRTJ and the construction of a 14.3-kilometer line from Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta.

The MRT's first line is expected to be up and running by 2015.

The second phase of MRT development will connect Dukuh Atas to Kota, West Jakarta.

MRTJ, established on June 10 through two ordinances, is responsible both for the system development and operation.

MRTJ is now run by acting director Eddi Santosa, an expert in financial and corporate restructuring, and acting commissioner Nurfakih Wirawan, a former assistant to the city secretary for development and the current head of the city supervisory agency. Both were appointed a week after the ordinances were passed.

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