To welcome the celebration of New Year 2024, South Sumatra Light Railway Management Center (BPKARSS) as the manager of South Sumatra LRT increased the number of South Sumatra LRT travel operations. If previously the last train arrived at DJKA station at 20:43, on New Year's Eve it was added until 02:09. Head of BPKARSS Rode Paulus said the addition was made until the early hours of the morning to accommodate the interests of people who want to celebrate New Year's Eve.

"We predict that community activities will be very crowded. Many of them want to either shopping malls or crowd centers. In addition, we have heard information Ampera Bridge will be closed on New Year's Eve," he said. Rode is well aware of the interest of people who will be celebrating New Year's Eve. According to him, there are several places where people will go to spend the night. Among them, Ampera and Jakabaring. "These two places are always crowded at night. Especially on New Year's Eve," he said.

Of course, this dense activity can cause congestion on the streets. "We don't want to be trapped amid the hectic motorized vehicles. So the additional of the train is to break the flow of vehicles," said the PTDI-STTD graduate. He added that so far BPKARSS services during Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 (Nataru) have been running smoothly.

Until Tuesday 26 December 2023, there were no disturbances that occurred both in train facilities and infrastructure. "Becausee, we have made careful preparations as well as disaster/disruption mitigation," he said. In accordance with PM (Ministerial Regulation) 2019 on Minimum Service Standards (SPM) for the Transportation of People by Train, we have conducted a series of ramp checks, paying attention to several factors. Safety, security, order, comfort, convenience, and equality, among others.

"This includes SPM at stations, travel and services for passengers with special needs," he said.

In addition to the internal preparations, BPKARSS also received support from other Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD). Such as South Sumatra Class II Land Transportation Management Center, Palembang Transportation Agency, and South Sumatra Transportation Agency.

"One of the concerns is the provision of parking areas," he said. There are several points that will become South Sumatra LRT parking lots to accommodate Nataru's needs. These include Bumi Sriwijaya, DJKA and Asrama Haji. "We have also coordinated with the relevant OPD to add more parking lots in case the demand increases. This is a form of density anticipation," Rode said. 

 

Overall, he hopes that the South Sumatra LRT service can run smoothly at this Nataru moment. "Our main goal is to ensure that passengers can travel comfortably and safely," he said.