With the large number of daily commuters from South Tangerang to Jakarta, MRT Jakarta is reported to be considering extending the route to the region.

South Tangerang Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany claimed she had discussed the MRT extension plan with MRT Jakarta president director William Sabandar and Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ) head Bambang Prihartono earlier this year.

Airin cited Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data that showed almost half of South Tangerang’s 1.5 million population worked in Jakarta. “That means no less than 750,000 people commute to Jakarta every day,” she said on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.

According to Airin, MRT Jakarta was conducting the extension’s feasibility study, which would become the basis to determine the extension route as well as the budget needed.

She added that she even proposed that the extension reach as far as Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang.

The route under study was from Lebak Bulus to Ciputat, Pamulang, Rawa Buntu, Serpong, and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Airin hoped that the feasibility study could finish soon. “I hope that it can be finished before my term ends,” she said. “Before 2021 [I hope] there will be [an MRT in South Tangerang].” (stu)