Jakarta (10/06) - The Bandung Urban Railway development plan is one of the projects offered by the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transport at the 17th Shanghai International Exhibition of Intercity and Urban Mass Transit, Rail+Metro China 2024 Forum and Exhibition, held from 5-7 June 2024 at the Shanghai International Exhibition of Intercity and Urban Mass Transit, Shanghai, China. In addition to the Bandung Light Rail, DJKA also offered the Airport Rail and the IKN Light Rail to the forum participants as potential cooperation projects.

Director General of Railways, Risal Wasal, in his presentation entitled "Foreseeing Indonesia: A Rail-Based Emerging Power, mentioned that the three projects are part of DJKA's 2024-2029 strategic plan. In achieving the goals of the next strategic plan, we are opening up opportunities for you to work together to maximise the development of Indonesia's railway sector, including the three projects with high economic potential," said Risal.

The Bandung Urban Railway was selected as one of the projects on offer because of its strategic role in meeting the high mobility needs of the community, as well as connecting the Whoosh High Speed Rail service to the centres of economic activity in this metropolitan area. In this case, the Bandung light rail project is expected to have an investment return rate (IRR) of 11,9%, supported by a viability gap fund of 49%. 

With this potential, we are opening up opportunities for you to participate in the Bandung Urban Railway Project through a PPP scheme with a concession period of up to 30 years," said Risal.

Furthermore, in relation to the development of rail transport in the archipelago's National Capital Region (IKN), Risal said there are currently two project plans that are still open for investment cooperation. The two projects are the Sepinggan Airport - IKN Railway and the IKN Urban Railway, which will serve the community in this new area.

For information, the Sepinggan Airport-IKN railway will serve 5,2 million passengers per year by 2030, reducing travel time to just 30 minutes for a distance of 46,04 km. The railway will also pass through the economic centres of East Kalimantan and is expected to be a catalyst for growth in the region.

The IKN Urban Railway line is expected to connect the new capital area with surrounding cities such as Balikpapan, facilitating the mobility of communities between the two cities," Risal added. To support the IKN Urban Railway development plan, Risal said the government is willing to provide support in the form of land acquisition and the provision of a viability gap fund (VGF) of 49% of the total investment value.

At the 17th Shanghai International Exhibition of Intercity and Urban Mass, Rail + Metro China 2024, DJKA also invited stakeholders and railway industry players to participate in offering superior products and services from each company. The companies partnered by DJKA for this activity are PT Adhi Karya Tbk, PT Wijaya Karya Beton Tbk, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia, PT Celebes Railway Indonesia, and PT Len Railway Systems.

In addition to the exhibition and forum activities, the Director General of Railways and delegates from Indonesia also visited the Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Driverless Train Control of Urban Guided Transport on 4 June 2024 and Tongji University on 6 June 2024. This is a good opportunity for us to learn and develop Indonesia's railway sector to become a railway-based emerging power," Risal concluded. (DEB/PHP/HJA)