YOGYAKARTA – Merbabu Inspection Train is back to carry out the task of providing rail transportation services. The task came in order to support the Railway Dialogue event organized by the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation. The concept of dialogue takes place on the Merbabu Inspection Train that goes from Tugu Station to Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) Airport Station.

The event was held to coincide with the 76th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia on Tuesday, 17/8/2021, and was chaired directly by the Director General of Railways Zulfikri.

On that occasion, the Inspection Train named Merbabu became a silent witness to the development of transportation in the national railway sector, especially the construction of the Yogyakarta International Airport railway sector.

To support the smooth running of the event, the Merbabu Inspection Train departed from the stabling area at the Balai Perawatan Perkeretaapian, Grobogan, Monday afternoon, 16/8/2021. Train departures are controlled according to procedures by a team from the Directorate of Facilities, Directorate General of Railways, Ministry of Transportation and the technical team of the Balai Perawatan Perkeretaapian.

The train drove during the journey to Tugu Station across Solo Balapan Station relatively smoothly, safely and under control.

That evening on the same day, the Merbabu Inspection Train was brought to go from Tugu Station to YIA Airport Station back and forth, to ensure a safe and smooth journey on the new line. Safety is the main factor in the transportation journey, for that the Director of Safety Edi Nursalam directly led the preparations to ensure there were no technical obstacles, for the success of the event according to the set plan.

During the night journey, there were no problems with the Merbabu Inspection Train. The train can be controlled by the driver well. The control panel in the control room is functioning normally. The inspection room directly occupied by the Director of Safety during lane checks can show the field of view ahead clearly.

In terms of lighting, Merbabu Train has complete facilities for lighting outside and inside the train. In monitoring along the way, outdoor lighting can catch well the railroad safety signs. Engineers can operate safety instruments according to procedures properly.

While the lighting in the train can meet the lighting needs of the entire train room. Electrical power for lighting needs and other needs does not show any problems. The train can supply electricity independently throughout the journey.

Like other trains, the Merbabu Inspection Train is a railway facility equipped with a self-propelled engine. But what distinguishes it from other trains, is the peculiarity of the color that wraps the body of the train. The dominant bright yellow color sticks to the body of the train from front to back, then adds an orange line accent on the center of the train body and a light blue color under the train body.

As identification, the Ministry of Transportation logo and the name of the Inspection Train facility are attached, to indicate the Merbabu Inspection Train is a State-Owned Railway Facility managed by the Directorate General of Railways, Ministry of Transportation.

Then from the interior side, there is a spatial arrangement tailored to the needs of the inspection. In the front room, there is a special room sized enough to seat two people, as a place to monitor the railroad tracks that are passed, and exclusive room facilities for passengers who have their backs against each other.

Then the interior in the center of the room, functioned as a meeting room for discussion or functioned for other purposes. In addition to seating facilities, the meeting room is also equipped with multimedia facilities to support the implementation of tasks.

During the event, the dialogue agenda in the Merbabu Inspection Train ran safely and comfortably. All participants and invited guests enjoyed every session presented by the committee. Approaching YIA Airport Station, the train stopped for a moment above the Double Track Elevated Railway area according to the event schedule, to hear an explanation about the construction of the Yogyakarta International Airport Railway Line in an open space.

Participants and invited guests can see firsthand the construction of the Double Track Elevated Railway which is used to drive to YIA Airport. The floating railway line was built with the elements of transportation safety in mind.

Chairman of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Prof. Agus Taufik Mulyono, who was also on the Merbabu Train, expressed his appreciation for the achievement of the rail line infrastructure development that connects the city of Yogyakarta with the new airport located in Kulon Progo Regency with a distance of approximately 40 km.

"The Yogyakarta International Airport railway line is a special gift for the people of Yogyakarta and its surroundings," said Agus Taufik.

Meanwhile, Director General of Railways, Zulfikri, said that the YIA Airport railway project is one of the national strategic plans in the railway sector, which is carried out to answer the transportation needs of the community. Besides Agus Taufik and Zulfikri, also present as resource persons, public policy observer Agus Pambagio. (yog)