Railwatch: HSR?

[GWR]

SBY to inaugurate double-track line

PURWOREJO (Antara): President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to commission a double-track railway link between Kutoarjo in Purworejo, Central Java, and Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

The event will take place at the Kutoarjo station, state railway company Kereta Api Indonesia spokesman Noor Hamidi said Monday.

He said the 64-kilometer track was constructed from 2004 to 2007 at a total cost of Rp 900 billion provided by the Japanese government through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

The construction project was intended to improve railway services by increasing train traffic frequency, Hamidi said.

He said that at the same occasion, Yudhoyono would also commission an electric train depot of Kereta Api's Jabotabek (Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi) division in Depok, West Java, by a teleconference facility at the Kutoarjo station.

"The president will sign two plaques and then conduct a teleconference with Depok," he said, adding that after the inauguration, the head of state and his entourage would return to Yogyakarta by a special train.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detail...1192127&irec=0

[Yappofloyd]

Three years to do 64kms? At that rate, the whole rather scenic section from Jakarta to Yogja via Bundung could perhaps be done in about 30yrs!

I last traveled the line to Yogja 5 years ago and by coincidence I traveled this new section last evening coming from Bundung to Yogja. The Kutoarjo station had received a kitchy fresh coat of paint (lurid green and yellow) - A late night pic of the freshly painted station;



After an average of 60-70 kms with some waiting at passing loops for many hours, the train was able to travel at something approaching 100kms on the new double track section and I enjoyed sticking my head out occasionally watching the rice paddies and villages pass under a near full moon. Nice to still be able to open the door on an Esekutif train (Indo 1st class).

Depok opens train maintenance facility Jakarta Post 23/01/08
An electric train maintenance facility in Depok, West Java, was officially opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday. The President spoke via remote link-up from Kutoarjo in Central Java. West Java Governor Dani Setiawan, who attended the launch, said the 26-hectare facility was the largest train depot in Southeast Asia. Extending 1.3 kilometers in length and 200 meters in width, it has 14 stabling lines that can accommodate up to 224 trains.

The area also contains large office and maintenance buildings, as well as 30 rooms with 120 beds for train drivers and engineers. The depot was constructed between Aug. 2004 and Aug. 2007 at a total cost of Rp 504 billion, which was provided in state budget allocations and through Japan Bank for International Cooperation loans. "This way we can maintain our trains better and improve our services for the city's commuters," said Harijogi, the general secretary of the Ministry of Transportation.

Akhmad Sujadi, the spokesman for the Greater Jakarta branch of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api, said 402 electric train services were offered in the Greater Jakarta area, including between the capital and Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Serpong. "We plan to add 56 more services this year," he said.The President was in Kutoarjo to launch a 64-kilometer double-track railway line connecting Kutoarjo in Central Java and Yogyakarta.
End

Gradually, the national line PT Kereta Api is expanding the train services to the outer areas of Jakarta cities such as Depok, Bogor & Tangerang using ex Japanese suburban trains and running express services about every hour. SRT in Bangkok could really learn something from this example even though it has already been proposed.

said the 26-hectare facility was the largest train depot in Southeast Asia

Wondering if this claim can really be correct?

[GWR]

http://www.indonesia-relief.org/mod....=19&artid=1615

The Sumatra line is interesting in that it starts at roughly the point of the rather fanciful Melaka Straits Bridge. But tucked in this report is also the info that an MOU has already been signed for a 500 Km line in central Kalimantan:

Possible Rail Link: Riau, Sumatra
Username By Barrie | June 11th, 2007 |

After failing to secure a double-track railway project from Cirebon to Kroya in Java, the China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) is now eyeing even bigger projects in Riau and Central Kalimantan.

CREC president Li Changjin met Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Riau Governor Rusli Zainal here on Thursday to discuss the possibility of the company building a new 400-kilometer rail line in Riau, linking Dumai, Duri, Pekanbaru, Taluk Kuantan and Muaro in Jambi.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Rusli said that CREC had come up with a pricing scheme for the project — US$15 million per kilometer — with trains able to travel at up to 250 kilometers per hour. This means the total cost of the project would be US$6 billion.”But that’s for a line capable of carrying trains at 250 kilometers per hour. We don’t need trains traveling at that speed. Half of that would be enough for us, and this would mean the cost would be roughly about half of the originally estimate, which would be acceptable to us,” Rusli said.

In addition to CREC, Rusli said that a German engineering firm had also expressed interest in the project.

“Let’s see what’s the best offer they put on the table. In terms of technology, both the German and Chinese technology is good. Our concern now is about pricing,” he said.

Last month, CREC, the biggest railway engineering company in China, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Kalimantan administration to build a 500-kilometer-long rail line in the province.

During Thursday’s meeting, Li and Kalla discussed financing possibilities for the Central Kalimantan railway project. It is still not clear how much the project will cost, how it will be financed and when it might start.

Earlier, CREC had been selected to build a double-track rail line from Cirebon in West Java to Kroya in Yogyakarta, to be financed using loans from the Chinese government. However, the government decided that the pricing scheme proposed by CREC was too expensive.

Rusli said whichever company won the railway project in Riau would be required to also supply the funding, either from borrowing or from its government. While the overall scheme had still not been finalized, it would have to be in line with the newly-passed Railway Law.

When asked about funding, Rusli said that his administration needed to discuss this with the central government. He said Riau was ready to pay for part of the cost.

He said the Riau rail project was included on the central government’s list of priority projects to be commenced in the near future.

“Last year, we had planned to make a budget allocation for the project, but as it had not yet been fully hammered out, we didn’t proceed. However, we are ready to allocate the money as soon as the project is ready and on the table,” he said.

Riau is one of the richest provinces in Indonesia. Half of the country’s crude oil production of about 1 million barrels per day comes from Riau, and the provincial government receives a significant proportion of the revenues accruing from this from the central government.

When asked if a rail line was really needed in Riau, considering the sparseness of the province’s population, Rusli said it would not only carry people, but also freight, particularly oil-palm kernels and timber for the province’s pulp and paper mills.

Riyadi Suparno

http://www.planetmole.org/daily/poss...u-sumatra.html

JAKARTA, July 31 Asia Pulse - The cost of building a railway project in Central Kalimantan is estimated to reach US$710 million, head of the regional transport office Masduki said.

The fund will be used to finance the construction of 183.5 kilometer railway track between Puruk Cahu and Mengkatip,...

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0...ALIMANTAN.html

You would have to subscribe to get the rest of the above 2007 report.

I seem to remember that the Thai coal mining group Banphu is also involved in plans to build a freight line of reasonable length in East Kalimantan.

European Investor Interested in Kalimantan Railway Project
Monday, 04 December, 2006 | 16:52

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government's plan of offering a project of rail track that connects South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan has a positive response from foreign investors.

According to the Secretary General of the Department of Transportation Wendi Aritonang, there are two European investors that have expressed interest in joining the project. One of them is from France, which will invite a local company to join it He said that he did not remember the name and the origin of the other investor.

”The two investors have calculated the investment that will be disbursed in the project,” said Wendi last week in Jakarta.

In the calculation, he entered the variable as the government's guarantee. The guarantee took the form of support from the regional government in the construction process, especially land acquisition and the company's commitment that will make use of the train to use the track.

The train in Kalimantan will carry mining goods and farming products. Data of the Department of Transportation has it that the rail track spans 138 kilometers from Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan) to Palangkaraya (Central Kalimantan). The project has high priority status. In other words, it must be built soon. Construction will cost US$201.2 million.

In regard to the project, so far the concession that will be granted to investors has not yet been set. Wendi has explained that the concession will be based on the calculation of tariff and time. “If the tariff is set at low rate, the concession time will be lengthened, and vice versa,” he said.

HARUN MAHBUB

http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/ek...-88908,uk.html

I suppose Palangkaraya in this report could be Puruk Cahu in the previous report and 183 could have accidentally been reversed or vice-versa to 138. Certainly these two places are visible on the map at about 138 kms apart.

Itochu to build railway transport facility in Kalimantan.(CORPORATE NEWS IN BRIEF)
Indonesian Commercial Newsletter, March, 2007

ITOCHU TO BUILD RAILWAY TRANSPORT FACILITY IN KALIMANTAN. Itochu Corporation said it will build railway project estimated to cost US$ 1 billion, the first in Kalimantan to facilitate coal transport. The project to be built in Central Kalimantan will include rail tracks, procurement of railway coaches, and loading an unloading stations, Itochu Chief Officer Yosuo Ichiwara said.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...3/ai_n19284496

[IrwanJOE]

For mr. IrwanJOE, he ask me some questions about Railway maps. Please contact.

Soon I will send a detailed map of Pakanbaru and also railwaymap Java 1932 for the Forum friends.

Thank you, Dick. I love that map

[GWR]

See also Jakarta Railwatch:
http://207.5.19.33/forum/showthread.php?t=2730

Saturday, April 12, 2008 8:50 PM
PT KA to add trains to two lines
Tifa Asrianti , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 04/12/2008 11:17 AM |

State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api (PT KA) will increase the frequency of electric trains running between Jakarta and Bekasi in West Java and Serpong in Banten, an official said Friday.

As part of the plan, the company has ordered new air-conditioned cars from Japan.

"We will have 16 cars coming from Japan in June or July to add to our air-conditioned economy trains," PT KA Jakarta spokesman Akhmad Sujadi said.

He said the additional cars would allow the company to run 12 trains daily to both Bekasi and Serpong.

There are currently six to eight daily trains on those lines.

PT KA plans to replace all non-AC economy carriages with AC economy carriages by 2010. Once the conversion is complete, the cheapest fare for Greater Jakarta passengers will be Rp 6,000 (63 US cents). The current ticket price for non-AC lines is Rp 2,000.

PT KA runs AC economy trains between Jakarta and Bekasi, Serpong, Depok and Bogor.

Akhmad said PT KA was optimistic passengers would gradually shift to AC trains because the price was reasonable.

"The train routes are longer than most buses," he said.

"We've seen a shift in passenger preference. The AC trains used to have only 10 percent of total passengers, but now it has 20 percent. That's a significant increase," Akhmad said.

In 2007, the railway company served 118 million passengers or an average of 380,000 passengers per day, excluding Sundays. Of these, 60 percent traveled on the Bogor line, 26 percent on the Bekasi line, 11 percent on the Serpong line and 3 percent on the Tangerang line.

"This year, we aim to get 120 million passengers and we expect to be serving 1.5 million passengers per day by 2014 (about 4.7 million a year without Sundays)," he said.

PT KA will continue to provide a non-AC train for Bogor fruit vendors who commute to Jakarta early in the morning.

"They may not feel comfortable carrying their produce on AC trains. We'll accommodate their needs," he said.

According to Akhmad, the revitalization is in line with safety improvement programs.

"The air-conditioned cars can be closed. There is a guard to secure the carriage doors and passengers can sit comfortably," he said, adding people often broke the doors of non-AC trains.

The AC cars from Japan are used, with each costing between Rp 800 million and Rp 1 billion.

"We can't afford to buy new ones because they cost between Rp 10 and 11 billion each," he said.

The company currently has 500 cars, including 180 non-AC cars, serving Jakarta and its outlying areas.

"We still have to replace another 100 cars by 2010," Akhmad said.

He said the Ciliwung circle line carried only 500 passengers per day, even though its maximum capacity is 400 passengers per journey.

"The low capacity is due to the lack of connections to other modes of transportation. Passengers who get off at Duri station, for example, find it difficult to switch to other transportation. The transportation agency should help us out with the stations," he said.

Head of the transportation agency, Nurachman, said his agency had already helped by building busway shelters at several stations, such as Manggarai and Senen.

"Jatinegara will also be connected to the busway when the new lanes are operational. We can't build any connecting shelters in Duri because the road is too narrow, but we've provided a busway shelter in Roxy," he said.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...two-lines.html

[GWR]

The Sumatra line is interesting in that it starts at roughly the point of the rather fanciful Melaka Straits Bridge. But tucked in this report is also the info that an MOU has already been signed for a 500 Km line in central Kalimantan:

You would have to subscribe to get the rest of the above 2007 report.

I seem to remember that the Thai coal mining group Banphu is also involved in plans to build a freight line of reasonable length in East Kalimantan.

http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/ek...-88908,uk.html

I suppose Palangkaraya in this report could be Puruk Cahu in the previous report and 183 could have accidentally been reversed or vice-versa to 138. Certainly these two places are visible on the map at about 138 kms apart.

BA to improve coal transport systems
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 05/31/2008 12:07 PM | Business

Having received approval during a shareholders meeting Thursday night, publicly listed state coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara is set to begin upgrading its coal transportation systems.

PTBA will establish a joint venture with state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to upgrade a coal transportation system in Sumatra this year.

The coal transportation system consists of two railway tracks: From Tanjung Enim coal mine in South Sumatra to Tarahan Port in Bandar Lampung, and the second from Tanjung Enim to Kertapati pier in Palembang.

PTBA president director Sukrisno told reporters after a shareholders meeting the upgrade was intended to gradually increase coal carrying capacity on railway tracks from eight million tons per year to 20 million tons within five years.

The total investment for the upgrade, he said, could reach up to Rp 6.39 trillion (US$686 million), with 70 percent coming from loans and the rest from the two companies' internal cash flows, of which PTBA would be responsible for up to 30 percent.

PTBA will also team up with PT Transpacific Railway Infrastructure (TRI) and China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) to develop another railway track connecting Tanjung Enim to Tarahan port.

"The new railway track is expected to be ready for use in 2013," Sukrisno said.

The development of the railway track is estimated to absorb $1.06 billion, of which 70 percent, or $743 million, will be financed through loans and the rest generated from the companies: with PTBA contributing 10 percent, TRI 80 percent and CREC 10 percent.

With TRI, the company also plans to establish a joint venture, to be called PT Mining, to develop a coal mine in Bangko Tengah, South Sumatra, which may require a total investment of $19.19 million, 70 percent of which would come from loans.

The company expects the mine to produce 5 million tons in the first year, 10 million tons in the second and 20 million in the third.

Among the company's other plans this year, Sukrisno said, had been the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in state-owned coal shipping company PT Pelayaran Bahtera Adhiguna. The plan, however, was rejected by the majority of the shareholders.

"We only got a 48 percent vote of approval from the shareholders for this acquisition plan," Sukrisno said, adding that a minimum 50 percent was required.

PTBA aims to boost sales volume by 20 percent to 13 million tons in 2008, with 60 percent allocated for domestic consumption.

With the increased sales volume, PTBA is targeting to increase its net profit by more than 20 percent from Rp 760 billion in 2007.

"For this year, we're optimistic to get a profit of more than Rp 1 trillion," Sukrismo said.

In the first quarter of this year, PTBA booked a 29 percent increase in sales income to Rp 1.23 trillion, causing its net profit to grow 44 percent to Rp 286.39 billion due to increases in prices and demands. (rff)

http://www.thejakartapost.com/node/170548

[Yappofloyd]

Railway company adds trains, workers ahead of Ramadhan - Wahyoe Boediwardhana and Khairul Saleh , The Jakarta Post 30/08/08
The state-run railway company PT Kereta Api has planned to hire 600 workers and to add 55 trains to anticipate more passengers during the month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri holidays, an official said. "We are trying to encourage people to travel by train at low cost instead of by motorcycle. Motorcycles are the main cause of traffic jams along northern Java's coastal route," Transportation Minister Jusman Safei Jamal said.

Speaking after an official inspection at the railroad's Malang branch, East Java, on Wednesday, Jusman said the company would add on 20 new economy-class trains and 27 new business-class trains to serve routes in Java and Sumatra. Jusman said the company would also add eight new inner-city commuter trains in West Java, Central Java and East Java, adding the company would repair existing trains and improve train facilities. The company also would provide more executive-class trains and to add one coach each to executive-class Gajayana, Kertajaya and Pasundan trains, he said.

Jusman added Kereta Api had plans in the works to replace old Sapu Jagat economy-class trains with 20 new commuter trains and replace 30 small locomotives with newer, bigger ones able to pull 14 coaches. He said the company would specially train its locomotive engineers and hire 600 workers to inspect all railways and track across Java. He said the government prioritized railroad inspection because about 75 percent of travelers in Java preferred to use land transportation, such as trains.

Meanwhile, the head of Kereta Api's East Java operations, Mulianta Sinulingga, said 150 of the 600 new hires would be mobilized in that region. "Those 600 temporary workers are being hired to strengthen our team. They will inspect and patrol in those areas highly prone to crime and natural disaster, such as the Wonokerto-Bantur route, Sumber Pucung pit and some routes adjacent to the Perhutani forest area," Mulianta said.
The ministry predicts the number of holiday travelers this year will reach up to 15.7 million. About six million will use buses and other roadway transportation, three million will opt for trains, four million will choose ships and 1.8 million will travel by air. The director of Kereta Api, Ronny Wahyudi, said the procurement of the 55 new trains, worth Rp 55 billion (US$5.9 million), was intended to meet passenger demands and to bring passengers from air travel over to train travel. "We will allocate the profit of this operation to procure new trains to replace the old ones," said Ronny.

Separately, the spokesperson for the Southern Sumatra branch of Kereta Api, Darmawan, said his Palembang office had added two economy-class trains and two business-class trains in anticipation of the increased seasonal demand. "We prepared them all to anticipate any eventuality ahead of the holiday. The number of tickets sold so far are still at normal levels. We haven't yet seen a significant increase in passengers. "Normally we have 5,000 passengers a day. That will double during Ramadan, when many people travel home or visit relatives," said Darmawan

He said the railway company had also prepared the Sapu Jagat economy-class train and Limex Sriwijaya business-class train to serve the Palembang-Tanjung Karang route in Lampung. Darmawan said Kereta Api preferred to add more economy and business-class coaches rather than executive ones because most people were likely to choose them.

[GWR]

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:52 PM
Seawater floods Semarang railway station
(JP/Suherdjoko)(JP/Suherdjoko)


[Photo: JP/Suherdjoko]


Tawang railway station in Semarang has been flooded with seawater due to high tides, known locally as "rob", for the past four days.

The flood forced passengers to cross an emergency bridge erected as soon as the water in the station was knee high.

"I didn't expect the water to flood through the station as high as it is. I came here to pick up my family who traveled from Jakarta," Wijanarko, a resident of Peterongan in Semarang, Central Java, said Monday.

In anticipation of further problems, the Semarang branch of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api will use Poncol and Tawang stations for business and executive class passengers. Poncol station is usually used only for passengers on economic class trains.

"Passengers can choose between the two stations. Currently, Poncol is free from flooding. We also sell tickets for business and executive class trains in Poncol," said Poncol station head Tri Suwarno.

Spokesman for the Semarang branch of PT Kereta Api, Warsono, said the relocation of business and executive trains from Tawang to Poncol had disrupted activity in Poncol.

"But it's OK, because now we are in an emergency situation," he added.

Also flooded as of Monday morning were part of Johar traditional market and the Kota Lama area. The water had dried up by noon Monday.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...y-station.html

[GWR]

[Photo: Jakarta Post - JP/Yuli Tri Suwarni - Workers stop to watch a Muatiara Selatan train from Surabaya in Haurpugur, Rancaekek, Bandung regency, on Friday. The train was the first to use the south route following its closure for 12 hours after flash floods damaged the railway sleepers.]

Sunday, December 7, 2008 9:20 PM
Young train lovers get on board
Agnes Winarti, , The Jakarta Post, , Jakarta | Sat, 12/06/2008 11:45 AM

The GM Marka community, a group of reformed young train enthusiasts, have been hard at work promoting the benefits of train travel and the proper way to behave while commuting in Jakarta.

The group, established August last year, has around 70 members across Java, 50 based in Jakarta.

"Quite a large number of GM Marka members used to misbehave on trains, even break the law, by refusing to purchase tickets, hitch-hiking on train roofs and even by throwing stones at moving carriages," 14-year-old founder of GM Marka (Gerakan Muda Penggemar Kereta Api) Gemilang Pratama Adi told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"But now their attitudes have changed, and we try to remind our family and friends how to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone using the trains," said Gemilang, popularly known by his friends as Gilang.

For Gilang, his love for trains began as a two-year-old during his family trips from Yogyakarta to Jakarta.

Trains have always been a part of life for Gilang. He used to ride one to elementary school every day and lived five minutes from Bojong Gede train station in Bogor.

Bojong Gede has become one key venue for GM Marka, who have launched public education campaigns to inform groups of local youths about the dangers of certain activities.

"We post stickers and hand out brochures about the dangers of throwing rocks at trains or riding on carriage roofs."

GM Marka has also run programs aimed at cleaning up train carriages at depots, such as at Bukit Duri in South Jakarta, and also regularly seeks out photographs of various train models.

"Train carriages often become a source of vandalism, and we think it is important to help clean them up," said Gilang. Unfortunately for the group, obtaining a permit from the depot head and collecting members takes time, so the cleaning activity only takes place every five months.

Gilang said acts of vandalism, including stone-throwing, was to some extent motivated by commuter frustration at being unable to board a train. Other motivating factors included the unfriendly gestures sometimes offered by train guards and past traumatic experiences, such as train accidents.

"People really want to get on the train, but cannot because of the price, and have subsequently developed a hostility toward the service, particularly the air-conditioned varieties."

Gilang said he too had once experienced poor treatment at the hands of train guards.

"I had paid the fare and was about to take a photo of a train in Cakung station, when a security officer rushed toward me and threatened to kill me.

"This is ridiculous. In Japan, train photography is encouraged because the activity creates a sense of identity for the people commuting every day."

He acknowledged that changing the attitude of train vandals would not be an easy task.

"If we discover that a member has begun vandalizing again, he has to pay Rp 20,000 as a penalty and sign a letter promising not to commit further acts. Otherwise, he is expelled from the community."

The 14-year-old junior high school student said trains had something of a future in this city. "An increasing number of people are becoming fed up with traffic jams on the streets."

GM Marka has a network spanning from Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Malang and is also linked to rail communities in Japan.

It is currently focusing its activities on an up-coming launch of a new train connecting Jakarta and Sukabumi, West Java.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...get-board.html

Railway becomes a training ground

The Jakarta Post, , Jakarta | Sat, 12/06/2008 11:40 AM

Dozens of college students, who had been anxiously waiting an hour for their train to arrive, finally boarded the carriage. They took their seats -- some even sitting on the floor -- and promptly pulled out their notebooks and pens.

As the train pulled out of the station, their class began.

City trains, which have long had a dubious reputation for arriving late and hosting poorly behaved passengers, opened a new page in their history on Tuesday.

For the first time in railway company and Trisakti Higher School of Transportation Management history, a general lecture took place on board a moving train.

"We came up with the idea about a year ago, and basically we wanted to put theory into practice," said Permadi Satrio, head of the land transport student organization at the Trisakti Higher School of Transportation Management.

The lecture on train management, given inside a Ciliwung Blue Line train carriage, was attended by about 80 students from the school. The class lasted for almost three hours as the train circled the line twice from Manggarai in South Jakarta northward to Kampung Bandan in North Jakarta, Pasar Senen in Central Jakarta, and Jatinegara in East Jakarta, before returning to Manggarai.

The class featured guest lecturers such as Nuryadi Muchtar from the City Transportation Agency, Ahmad Sujadi from state railway company PT KA, Untung Rusadi Soekono from the Indonesian Railway Preservation Society (IPRS) and Antoni Labjar from the KRL (Electric Railway Train) Mania community group.

"Learning inside a moving train gives us a different sensation that makes us more involved in the learning process rather than just sitting in the classroom while listening to lectures," Permadi added.

He said students usually learned about transportation management without noticing the social conditions of the poor people who live beside the railway tracks.

"The livelihood of people living near the railway tracks makes for a new and interesting topic to discuss," he said.

Of course, there are some disadvantages to studying inside a moving train.

"The shaking of the train and the scenery outside makes it hard for me to concentrate, but it's refreshing," said Windy Adiningsih, a student in his fifth semester at the school.

Morris, another student, said it was a pity the train had arrived almost an hour late because it showed that the classic problem of arriving on time had not been solved.

Antoni Labjar, a guest lecturer from KRL Mania, said the innovation had shown that trains could offer more than just services but also historical value. (fmb)

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...ng-ground.html

[GWR]

See thread-headline story in previous post.

Paying train ticket through ATMs

Tue, 12/09/2008 10:58 AM | City

JAKARTA: State railway operator PT Kereta Api has signed an agreement with two banks to allow passengers to buy tickets through ATMs to eliminate the hassle of having to queue at stations.

"We have expanded our ticketing service through this new deal with BRI (Bank Rakyat Indonesia) and BII (Bank International Indonesia)," KA spokesman for the Greater Jakarta area, Akhmad Sujadi, was quoted by detik.com as saying on Saturday.

He said the service commenced on Dec. 5. KA planned to have a similar deal with 20 more banks from February next year, he said.

"So, it will be like booking a plane ticket," he said.

Sujadi said to buy a ticket, a passenger needed to call KA's call center on 13897 or 021-2350-7000. A KA officer will then give out a booking code to be used while paying at the ATM. Later, the proof of purchase from the ATM can be exchanged for a ticket before departing at the station, he added.

The service applies to business and executive-class trains throughout the country, he said. -JP

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...ough-atms.html

[GWR]

Saturday, December 13, 2008 8:41 PM
New Semarang-Tegal train launched
Suherdjoko , The Jakarta Post , Semarang | Sat, 12/13/2008 11:44 AM

Railway passengers in Central Java's northern coastal area can now ride in comfort thanks to the Kaligung Baru commuter train on the Semarang-Tegal line.

The train was officially launched by Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal at Poncol Station in Semarang on Friday. The minister was accompanied by Central Java deputy governor Rustriningsih.

The train has four carriages and is equipped with driver cabins on each end to expedite operation.

State railway operator PT Kereta Api (PT KA) president director Ronny Wahyudi said that data showed the Indonesian Self-powered Diesel Train (KRDI) Kaligung catered to 30,000 business-class and 33,000 economy-class passengers in 2007, adding that the number had increased to 38,000 business-class and 44,000 economy class passengers, or an increase of 29 percent and 47 percent respectively, by year's end.

"This indicates that passenger appeal is growing, especially when the distance of 148 kilometers between Semarang to Tegal can be crossed within two-and-a-half hours," Ronny said.

"That's faster than any other land transportation, on top of its punctual schedule."

The procurement of KRDI trains in Central Java cost Rp 59.4 billion (US$5.3 million) in the 2007 and 2008 state budgets.

PT KA launched the KRDI Banyubiru on Sept. 19 to serve the Semarang-Solo-Sragen line. The Transportation Ministry plans to launch the Semarang-Cepu-Bojonegoro line soon.

Minister Jusman said the KRDI Kaligung Baru would likely be extended to serve the Semarang-Tegal-Prupuk line.

"I'm told that around 10,000 business-class and the same number of economy-class passengers commute by the KRDI daily," Yusman said.

He said he believed a train community could be established by the frequent encounters between commuters, such as that on the KRDI Prambanan Express (Pramex), which serves the Yogyakarta-Surakarta line.

"Comfort and safety can be enhanced thanks to them caring for each other. They can remind others not to smoke on the train, as well as admonishing those riding free," Yusman said.

Rustriningsih proposed the Transportation Ministry also revive the Semarang-Borobudur line, which is occupied by dozens of squatters and an old station converted into a bus terminal.

"The aim of the KRDI trains is to support economic development. I also hope the trains operate according to schedule. In Germany, trains operate on time, failing which they would be in the media spotlight," Rustriningsih said.

The KRDI trains, produced by state-owned train maker PT INKA, are more comfortable than regular trains, thanks to the use of bolsterless boogies, or secondary air springs to absorb vertical and horizontal shocks and vibrations, thus enhancing comfort.

A KRDI train can carry 608 passengers: 130 passengers in each carriage with a driver's cabin and 174 in the other carriages. A business-class ticket for the Kaligung Baru costs Rp 25,000 and an economy-class ticket Rp 13,000.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...-launched.html

Suspect the following service was originally withdrawn because of the mud flood:

Saturday, December 13, 2008 8:49 PM
The Sukabumi-Bogor train to resume operation

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 12/13/2008 8:44 AM

The Sukabumi-Bogor train is set to resume operation on Saturday after a two year absence.

PT Kereta Api Jakarta spokesman Akhmad Sujadi told Kompas.com that Transportation Minister Jusman Safeii Djamal would personally officiate the opening of the train route.

The operation of the Bumi Geulis business train was previously suspended due to railtrack damages along West Java's Sukabumi-Bogor line.

The government is said to have invested Rp 54 billion to rehabilitate the 54-kilometer rail.

The Sukabumi-Cianjur route is a two-hour train ride and tickets are sold at Rp 8,000 for a single ride.

Comments (1)

A.mulders — Sat, 12/13/2008 - 3:46pm

The Jakarta Post. Can you explain to me which traject is restored?
Is it Sukabumi - Bogor? In you last sentence you wrote Sukabumi -Cianjur which is in the oposite direction of Sukabumi.
Is there any possibility to open the whole traject from Bogor to Bandung via Sukabumi?

I would apreciate if you could answer me.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...operation.html

[GWR]

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 3:33 PM
World crisis means French bread for Alstom

Kornelius Purba , The Jakarta Post , Paris | Tue, 12/30/2008 11:02 AM

Paris-based Alstom, a major company in power generation and rail transport, invited The Jakarta Post's Kornelius Purba, along with some other Asian journalists to visit its headquarters in Paris earlier this month, and some other cities in France and Switzerland to pick up first hand information and experience about the company's products.

Alstom chairman and CEO, Patrick Kron, apparently believes that he could turn the global financial crash into a blessing in disguise for his company because many countries in the world, including the United States, China, Japan, and also Indonesia, plan to launch infrastructure mega projects to create new jobs and provide financial stimulus for their economies.

"In power, 80 percent of our customers are either state companies or private companies with a very strong balance sheet. And in transport, 90 percent are in the state sector," Kron said told the visiting journalists in Paris.

The journalists came from Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam where Alstom have offices and ongoing projects. Alstom senior executives demonstrated their products to us, which they say are sold for reasonable prices compared to the quality of their products.

I felt at that time as if I were an Indonesian minister who had the authority to have the final say what products Indonesia could buy from the company.

We traveled to Bordeaux to enjoy the tramway, then to Valenciennes to visit its train production center: from tram, to metros to double deck regional trains.

Then we flew to Birr, near Zurich in Switzerland to visit Alstom's Power Systems center and the Alstom Power Service center.

As a journalist who has very little -- if any -- knowledge about power technology, I could not comment much when the company was described as the world's largest producer in hydropower, integrated thermal power plants, nuclear power stations, conventional and island plants and air quality control systems.

The most scary visit for me was when we visited a nuclear power plant.

Alstom's products include trams, metro, super-speed trains, conventional power plant and nuclear power plants.

The company has operated in Indonesia since 1966, and its factory in Surabaya produces boilers and heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) for the global market since 1998. It supplied the boilers to the first independent power plant (IPP) in Indonesia, the Paiton plant.

Other power projects include the Muara Tawar Power Station in Bekasi, West Java. In rail transport, it was involved in the Cikampek-Cirebon double-track railway.

Kron described that one in four of the world's light bulbs are powered by equipment which uses Alstom technology. It is also number two worldwide in equipment and services for rail transport.

The company provides very high speed rail transport and complex signaling systems, and supplies urban transport systems, especially trams and metro technology. The group's sales totaled Euro 16.9 billion for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

We were given the chance to go to Bordeaux where the company showed off its most successful stories in providing technologically advanced trams, including wireless controlled trams for the famous wine producing area. Trams can work without overhead wires using batteries. Traveling from Paris to Bordeaux we traveled on the high speed train (the TGV), which is also produced by the company. Another type, the AGV is also produced by Alstom.

In April last year, the high speed train produced by Alstom and its partners was able to set the world rail speed record of 574.8 km/hour.

In the recent Indonesia Japan Expo 2008, Japan demonstrated the three-dimension Shinkansen stimulator in Indonesia. With Shinkansen the 683 kilometers distance between Jakarta and Surabaya can be reached within 2 hours and 20 minutes. The project would be expected to involve Indonesia's train car producer, PT Inka. The Japanese government is also ready to provide financial scheme for the project.

In the 1990s, the Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer (SCNF) estimated the Jakarta-Surabaya super-speed train project would cost US$ 6.14 billion.

Getting to see the Alstom produced trams in Bordeaux, reminded me of the plan of a private company in Jakarta to open tram transport next year. According to a news report, the tramway will operate in the Kuningan area, in Southern Jakarta and will be privately managed and owned. And perhaps can be connected with the busway track. This transport mode can also built in other super block areas, like the Sudirman Central Business District (CBD).

Jakarta also plans to develop mass-rapid transportation (MRT). So far Japan is the leading contender for this project.

Alstom offers turnkey systems for its metro products, including rolling stock, signaling, infrastructure and services. The driverless North East Line of Singapore's metro system is claimed by Alstom as the first fully automated "heavy" metro.

Alstom can provide what the Indonesian government needs in its ambitious infrastructure projects. The question is whether the government has the money for it. Alstom itself did not explain much about costs and financing schemes. As a journalist, for me, the questions about cost and financing problems were just far beyond my imagination.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...ad-alstom.html

[GWR]

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 2:13 PM
Train company made Unexpected profit
Wed, 01/07/2009 11:17 AM

JAKARTA: The state-owned train company PT Kereta Api (KA) made an unexpected Rp 40 billion (US$ 3.7 million) in profits, despite a forecast Rp 57 billion loss, because of fewer accidents, improved efficiency and better sales.

The company's performance improved after it made investments in renewing rolling stock and carriages and increasing safety measures.

"We thought we would make a loss because of the investments, but apparently (the return) came back positively," president director Ronny Wahyudi said.

Better sales of business and executive class tickets and a shift from airplanes to trains because of higher air fares, also helped to boost profits. Ronny said the profits would be allocated to employee incentive programs to increase their efficiency.

The company is targeting to make up to Rp 12.5 billion in profits in 2009.

Meanwhile, in 2008, KA received Rp 544 billion from the government through the public service obligation (PSO) subsidy for keeping the ticket price for the economy class below its operational cost. -- JP

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...ed-profit.html

[Yappofloyd]

A new thread with copious Indo railway pics on skyscrapercity, http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=801670, which may be of interest.

[Yappofloyd]

Developing railways must fight for their interests 25 May 2009 Railway Gazette
Freight Railways in the emerging economies of southeast Asia have for too long allowed their market share to be eroded by the road haulage sector. Dr Julison Arifin argues that the industry has often underestimated its role in the logistics mix, and the time has come to fight back. ‘Too many railways are sleeping whilst the competition is killing us.’ That was the stark message delivered by Dr Julison Arifin, Business Development Director of PT Kereta Api, speaking at Terrapinn’s Asia Pacific Rail freight event in Hanoi on March 13.

Arifin was forthright in his belief that the greatest challenges facing freight operators in emerging markets are not caused by ‘hardware or software’, but rather by ‘brain-ware’. He argued forcefully that across southeast Asia, freight railways had developed a kind of inferiority complex that had handed the commercial advantage to road, and that not enough was being done to persuade governments - and particularly finance ministries - of what he termed ‘rail’s inherent advantages’. ‘The road can no longer be considered just as a competitor. If we are not careful, it could kill the railway. Our industry is so conservative’, he added, citing outmoded signalling equipment as one example of how some railways have failed to make the business case for even modest investment in new technology.

Arguably an even more important shift is required in terms of understanding the roles of rail and road in the freight market. ‘Perhaps we need to think about forming an alliance with road hauliers based around infrastructure costs. We are ready to take the heaviest goods off the highway’, Arifin said, adding that he had implemented just such a strategy in conjunction with the local highways agency in western Sumatra. This idea mirrors the ongoing debate in Europe about the internalisation of external costs, although the European Commission’s plans to introduce road charging for lorries via the Eurovignette concept have proved highly controversial.

Unfulfilled potential
Arifin echoed the sentiments of other speakers by reflecting on how political changes to transport policy had made winning business more difficult. He suggested that the intermodal market was a potentially highly lucrative sector for PT KAI to target, particularly given Indonesia’s geographical spread across numerous islands and its status as southeast Asia’s largest emerging economy.

‘We in the railway industry are all too often caught napping - we must lobby to protect our own interests’, he insisted, referring to the Indonesian government’s decision some years ago to separate the management of ports from that of the rest of the national transport infrastructure. This in turn saw private operators emerging as port managers, and in one case this led to the exclusion of PT KAI trains from a port as the operator decided to redevelop the rail terminal at the dockside.

Fortunately, Arifin explained, the government has now recognised the need for a greater balance of modes for freight shipping, and a number of investment projects to bridge the ‘missing links’ between inland terminals and the major ports of Java are now on the table. These include a plan to create an intermodal terminal at Cikarang on the edge of Jakarta, and the construction of a 45 km line from here to the port of Tanjung Priok which would avoid the current route through the city centre.

Arifin would like PT KAI to follow the example of other freight operators by diversifying into the logistics sector. Already, he said, he recognises the need to bring freight forwarders, port operators, end customers and railway staff together to provide a more integrated service, ‘but this is not easy’.

‘Perhaps one day I will be able to go out and buy a small trucking company or two as well’, he suggested, before admitting that budgetary constraints and limited resources meant that his first priority must be the most profitable flows - usually coal. ‘What we need right now is 30 to 60 modern freight locomotives and 800 km of UIC 50 rail’, he concluded, affirming that day-to-day operations were his biggest concern.
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_v...interests.html