Surakarta (12/3) – This good news was conveyed by Putu Sumarjaya, Head of Central Java Regional Railway Engineering Center (BTP Jabagteng), while accompanying the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, and Director General of Railways, Zulfikri during a field visit in Solo Jebres. Putu said that in order to support the plan to extend KRL services to Palur, currently, BTP Jabagteng is almost completing the construction of the 6.2 Km Solobalapan - Solo Jebres - Palur electrification. This activity consists of the construction of substations and overhead power (LAA) for the Solobalapan – Solojebres – Palur railway line, the arrangement of the track layout at the Solo Jebres station and the construction of the KRL depot in the Solo Jebres Station area.

"Electrification development started in 2020. In 2022 we are targeting the 3 activities to be completed to support the operation of the KRL to Palur. As of March 2022, the progress of work on LAA and substations has reached 93.3%, depot construction work is 59%, and track layout arrangement has reached 77.3%, including the elevation of the D.I Panjaitan Overpass and overcapping at Purwosari Station and Solo Balapan," said Putu. "Shortly, we will conduct LAA testing and commissioning (function test), LAA substation testing and stage 1 safety assessment. After further infrastructure testing, phase 1 and 2 dynamic testing of facilities will be carried out, our target is September 2022 that this urban train connectivity is ready to serve people to Palur," he continued.

The operation of the Yogya-Solo commuter rail line in the past year has recorded an optimal performance. Even though it was operated during the pandemic, the Yogya-Solo KRL was recorded to have succeeded in carrying more than 2 million passengers. This shows the great interest of the community in taking advantage of railway connectivity even during the pandemic. The urban railway line built by BTP Jabagteng can boost the competitiveness of rail transportation by shortening travel time, transporting more passengers and reducing air pollution if more people with private vehicles want to switch to using this mass transportation mode (shifting mode).

Putu added that it is now easier for the public to access KRL services with the operation of stopping stations such as Srowot, Ceper, Delanggu and Gawok stations. "With the continued development of electrification and the plan to extend services to Palur, we want more people to enjoy the added value of this connectivity. The distance seems to be getting closer, the travel time is getting shorter, the quality of life is increasing, " explained Putu. In addition to increasing accessibility, his party is also improving services by building high platforms at Brambanan, Srowot, Ceper, Delanggu, and Gawok stations to make it easier for passengers to get on and off.

It does not stop there, in order to support the operation of the Yogya-Solo KRL, BTP Jabagteng continues to boost the completion of the construction of the KRL Depot in Solo Jebres. Equipped with modern maintenance facilities, this depot, with an area of ​​approximately 4,500 m², will be used for daily, monthly, and yearly maintenance activities for KRL facilities. The depot can accommodate 4 series of KRL and is equipped with 3 stabling lines (train parking areas). "Currently, maintenance of KRL facilities is carried out in the stabling area that we have built in Klaten. The Solo Jebres depot with a wider area, supported by more complete facilities, will optimally support KRL facility maintenance activities," he said.

"So the government is not only building the route but is also concerned about maintaining the facilities. KRL facilities that are well maintained, the quality of service can be optimal. The infrastructure is reliable, the Human Resources (HR) are capable, the facilities are maintained, and taking the train becomes more comfortable and safe," said Putu.