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lectric train operator PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek (KCJ) added on Wednesday a 10-car train, recently purchased from Japan, to the Bogor-Jakarta Kota line in a bid to increase passenger capacity on the busy route.

KCJ president director Tri Handoyo said the company's other trains had only eight cars.

'It's an important day for us because the operation of this train affects many details [regarding stations], such as [the construction of] longer platforms,' he said on Wednesday.

The train set out at 5:58 a.m. from Depok, West Java, he said.

Tri said that with the added cars, his company expected to increase the number of passengers by at least 360 per trip.

'One car can transport 180 people and up to 200 during rush hour,' he said, adding that the train made 10 trips per day.

Additionally, KCJ is set to begin operating another 10-car train on the line beginning Monday.

He said that the two trains were comprised of the first cars to arrive out of a 180-car purchase from Japan made last May. The cars would constitute 18 trains.

According to Tri, KCJ had many preparations to make before it could put all the cars into operation, such as lengthening station platforms and getting certifications from the Transportation Ministry.

KCJ expected to begin running five more trains this month, he said. 'We are waiting on certifications for two trains and will apply for three more,' Tri said.

He said the company would begin operating 10-car trains on the Jakarta Kota-Bekasi line.

'If we only need to renovate a few stations, we will extend [the platforms soon], so we can use the 10-car trains to serve the Bekasi-Jakarta Kota route,' Tri said in a press conference.

The series 205 trains purchased from Japan are used, constructed in 1990-1991. The cars have folding seats to provide more space for commuters. In Japan, the trains were used only in the morning during rush hour.

'But we still use the seats to accommodate pregnant women and senior citizens,' Tri said.

KCJ commercial director Makmur Syaheran gave assurances that the used trains were in solid condition.

'When we bought the trains from Japan, they were still in normal operation. We didn't buy trains that Japan had retired,' he said.

Tri said that KCJ had ordered 176 cars for 22 trains this year, worth Rp 176 billion (US$15.2 million). This year's purchase, set for delivery between May and December, is for an eight-car train.

'We bought used trains, so we don't have the luxury to choose [too many specifics],' he said. (nai)