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New railway stations, double track launched
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan officially launched 11 new train stations and a double track line for state-owned railway company PT KAIâs Regional Division III South Sumatra, on Monday
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tate-Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan officially launched 11 new train stations and a double track line for state-owned railway company PT KAI's Regional Division III South Sumatra, on Monday.
Dahlan said the new stations and double track were developed to improve train services both for transporting passengers and cargo.
'With the inaugurations, this year's Idul Fitri will be different from last year. There will also be no long queue for tickets because an online system has already been applied,' Dahlan said, referring to the annual exodus for the Islamic celebration that marks the end of Ramadhan.
Of the 11 new train stations, six were in the South Sumatra region. They were the train stations of Sungai Tuha, Lubuk Batang, Kepayang, Sukamerindu, Talang Padang and Tanjung Terang.
The five others are in Lampung province, namely Sukamenanti, Gedung Ratu, Candi Mas, Tanjung Rajo and Way Pisang.
The double track spans 22 kilometers (km) from Prabumulih to Niru train stations in South Sumatra.
Dahlan said people's mobility prior to Idul Fitri was very high. No matter how many trains were added, they would never be enough.
'It's now a matter of how to maximize existing trains and improve the service, especially ticket purchases,' Dahlan said.
Meanwhile, PT KAI president director Ignasius Jonan revealed six more train stations and a double track of 266 km would be further developed to improve the passenger and cargo capacity in the Regional Division III area.
'We expect the government as the main facility owner to continue the development of the double track and the train stations,' Jonan said.
He added the development of the stations and track were expected to be completed by 2015.
He said for this year's Idul Fitri exodus, the capacity of the trains had been increased by 6 percent.
'In Java the increase in capacity is more than 21,000 seats daily. During the weekend it increases by 15 percent,' Jonan said.
Jonan added that his company would provide free transport for travelers' motorcycles for this year's annual exodus, with a capacity of 6,300 motorcycles per transport. This is expected to help lessen the usual crowds of motorcyclists on the roads.
'Passengers are welcome to bring their motorcycles on board the trains, as long as they buy tickets,' Jonan said.
