MEDAN – The Directorate of Railway Traffic and Transportation, Directorate General of Railways together with the Medan Class I Railway Engineering Center have carried out field verification of public service obligations (PSO) for railway transportation in Quarter IV of 2024 on 6-9 November 2024. This process was carried out to ensure that train operations in the work area of ​​the Medan Class I Railway Engineering Center are in accordance with the provisions of public service obligations.

This verification covers railway facilities under the responsibility of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Regional Division I North Sumatra and PT Railink Medan Branch. This activity aims to check the condition of facilities in the work area of ​​the Medan Class I Railway Engineering Center whether they are in accordance with the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Provisions in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The verification includes several things, one of which is related to the frequency of Intercity and Urban Trains in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In the verification carried out, the realization of the frequency for intercity and urban trains in the North Sumatra Regional Division I during October 2024 has met the provisions according to the contract. The realization of the frequency is as follows:

1. Intercity Trains: The realization of the frequency for intercity trains reached 186 trips, which was in accordance with the contract target in the fourth quarter.
2. Urban Trains: The realization of the frequency for urban trains, which includes short-distance trips in the Medan area, reached 1,240 trip frequencies in October 2024. This number has also met the provisions of the fourth quarter contract.

The trains verified in this activity include:

1. Intercity Train (Medium Distance)
   •  Putri Deli Train (Tanjung Balai – Medan route)
2. Urban Train (Short Distance)
   •  Siantar Ekspres Train (Siantar – Medan route)
   •  Datuk Belambangan Train (Tebing Tinggi – Lalang route)
   •  Srilelwangsa Train (Araskabu – Medan, Kuala Bingai – Medan, Binjai – Medan, Kuala Bingai – Binjai routes)

The implementation of train transportation in the future is expected to continue to meet the established service standards. Through PSO, train transportation services in North Sumatra are expected to continue to reach the community at affordable prices without reducing the quality of service. In addition, improving aspects of safety, comfort, and punctuality remain a priority in order to meet the mobility needs of the community and increase user confidence in train services.

With the implementation of this verification, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) and PT Railink are expected to be able to maintain and improve the quality of train transportation services in order to fulfill PSO obligations. (AI/ARH/MAD/RZ)