PALEMBANG: The Transportation Policy Agency (Baketrans) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) of the Republic of Indonesia conducted a working visit to the Light Rail Transit (LRT) of South Sumatra (South Sumatra) to discuss various achievements and future transportation policy development. The visit was attended by Bram Hertasning, Head of Urban Transport Policy at Bakertrans.

During the visit, Bram expressed his appreciation for the performance of the South Sumatra LRT, which has significantly contributed to reducing traffic congestion in Palembang and its surrounding areas. Since its operation in 2018, South Sumatra LRT has become an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative mass transportation for the people of South Sumatra. 

"We are very proud of the achievements of South Sumatra LRT, which has had a positive impact on community mobility and supported economic growth in the region. South Sumatra LRT has proven to be one of the mass transit projects that the public is interested in," said Bram.

During the visit, the Bakertrans team also held in-depth discussions with South Sumatra LRT management on the challenges faced and strategies to overcome these obstacles. One of the issues that came to the forefront was increasing ridership and optimizing LRT operations.

"Increasing the number of passengers is one of our priorities. We will work with related parties to develop various promotional and educational programs to inform the public about the benefits of using LRT as a daily mode of transportation. In addition, we will continue to improve the quality of service and safety for passengers," said BPKARSS Head of Maintenance and Infrastructure Improvement Eben Torsa Tongam Sihombing.

In addition to discussing the achievements of the South Sumatra LRT, this visit was also a place to evaluate and develop public transportation policies in Indonesia. One of the proposals that emerged was the development of integration between transportation modes, such as buses, trains, and urban transport, to create a more connected and integrated transportation network.

"Integrating different modes of transportation is critical for increasing user accessibility and convenience. We are committed to continue developing policies that support the creation of a more efficient and sustainable transportation system," he explained.

Eben also highlighted the importance of cooperation between central and local governments in the development of transport infrastructure. According to him, local governments' support is critical to the success of various public transportation projects.

Baketrans' working visit to South Sumatra LRT ended with a direct inspection of several LRT stations and other supporting facilities. Bram and his entourage appreciated the efforts of the South Sumatra LRT management in maintaining the cleanliness, safety and comfort of the existing facilities. They also took the time to talk to some LRT passengers about their experiences and expectations of LRT services.

"This direct review provides us with a lot of valuable input that will be taken into consideration when formulating future policies. We are committed to continuously improving public transport services for the benefit of the community," he said.

With this visit, it is hoped that South Sumatra LRT can continue to grow and make a positive contribution to the people of South Sumatra. The Transportation Policy Agency of the Ministry of Transportation pledged to continue to support and monitor the development of South Sumatra LRT and implement policies that can improve the mass transportation system in Indonesia.