Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has urged state railway company PT KAI to maintain the safety and security of railway tracks to prevent accidents at crossings, and to keep stations clean and comfortable for passengers.
The message was conveyed directly to PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin during the inauguration of the new Tanah Abang Station here on Tuesday.
“Continue your service to the Indonesian people. Our railways are a national pride. Take care of cleanliness, maintain the tracks, ensure security and safety, and build proper railway crossings. There should be no more accidents,” Prabowo told the KAI director.
After riding the KRL Commuter Line from Manggarai Station to the new Tanah Abang Station, he said Indonesia’s train services are already comfortable and comparable to international standards.
“I am very impressed. I grew up using trains and I have always loved them. Trains and mass transit systems are vital for modern society,” he said.
In the past year, PT KAI served 486 million passengers, prompting the President to emphasize that improving rail services is one of the government's focuses.
“Railways help the middle and lower-income population. Wealthy people can take the plane or drive with their cars, but most people rely on trains. Therefore, we must expand and enhance rail services,” Prabowo stated.
Among his directives, he instructed PT KAI to add 30 new KRL Commuter Line carriages for the Greater Jakarta region within a year.
He also tasked Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi to plan new railway networks in Kalimantan and expand existing lines in Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Java.
According to him, the railway should not only transport passengers but also goods.
"Rather than using many trucks, which damage the roads and consume a lot of fuel, with electric trains, we can significantly reduce costs," President Prabowo said.
