TEMPO.CO, Palembang - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Palembang requires more improvement to attract public’s interest. Based on the evaluation result, thus far, the waiting time for the electric train departure is considerably long, and so that must be lessened.

Budi Karya explained the train travel time will be optimized to meet demands of public transportation users. “If necessary, the train should have arrived in the station in less than one hour,” said the minister after monitoring the train in Palembang today, April 16.

The train is currently in the process of trial test, so it requires evaluation. Budi Karya mentioned the LRT Palembang construction was hurried due to the establishment of 2018 Asian Games last year.

Therefore, his side continued to monitor the rail transit development to operate it perfectly. Meanwhile, the subsidy will be still rendered until the train operations reach a steady state.

Earlier, many parties considered the urban rail transit a failed project. The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V member from Gerindra Party faction, Bambang Haryo Soekartono opined the train was ineffective public transportation because it did not board passengers in optimal number.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla also conveyed his criticism toward LRT Palembang that he recognized as a mere local tourist attraction. He asserted that the road construction is more important than that of the train.

ANTARA