The minister said the policy was made to support operations of the airport, which was launched last year following the relocation of 56 flights from Husein Satranegara International Airport in Bandung to Kertajati.

“The central government is providing a transportation subsidy by operating the bus services of state-owned bus operator Damri for one year,” Budi said, adding that the free service would operate out of three cities: Karawang, Cirebon and Bandung.

The free service was introduced to compensate for the unfinished Cileunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan (Cisumdawu) main access road, which was still under construction, Budi said.

Previously, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the 61.72-kilometer toll road project, which was initially to be completed in 2021, would be fast-tracked to 2020 to ensure speedier access to the airport.

“People have to spend a lot of time to head to this airport. The free bus service also aims to cut down on their costs. It is the government’s duty to do so,” Budi said.

He added that helicopters were ready to transport wealthy people who needed to save time in getting to the airport. (bbn)

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