Palembang (24/10) – The South Sumatra LRT occupancy rate experienced a significant spike after the New Oplet Musi Emas angkot feeder service was launched in June 2022. This was stated by the Ministry of Transportation through the Head of the South Sumatra Light Railroad Management Center (BPKARSS) of the Directorate General of Railways, Dedik Tri Istiantara, in Palembang on Monday (24/10).

Dedik said that the launch of the New Oplet Musi Emas angkot feeder which was conducted by the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) through BPKARSS, in collaboration with the Land Transportation Management Center Region VII of South Sumatra and Bangka Belitung Provinces and the South Sumatra Province Transportation Service, was one of the efforts to maximize affordability. South Sumatra LRT in serving the people of Palembang City. So it is expected that the community will find it easier to reach the South Sumatra LRT from and/or to their homes as well as to continue their journey to their respective destinations.

 "Alhamdulillah, the increasement in passengers after the launch of this feeder has reached 25%," continued Dedik. Dedik's statement is based on data on average daily passengers, which has increased to 9,066 passengers/day since the launch of the angkot feeder (July-October 2022) from the previous 7,239 passengers/day (January-June 2022). Meanwhile, the increase in passengers per station reached 26% at Punti Kayu Station, up to 40% at Asrama Haji Station.

Dedik added that the enthusiasm of the community in utilizing the South Sumatra LRT and connecting trips using feeder public transportation encouraged the Government to expand the reach of the feeder transportation services. In this case, the Government will gradually add 5 (five) additional corridors so that later there will be 7 (seven) angkot feeder corridors that serve South Sumatra LRT passengers. "This angkot feeder service also complements the intermodal integration of the South Sumatra LRT after previously being integrated with BRT and DAMRI bus services," continued Dedik.

Derived on the great enthusiasm of the community, Director General of Railways (Plt) Zulmafendi expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to all parties who have used the South Sumatra LRT as a mode of daily transportation. "Today, the number of passengers transported by the South Sumatra LRT from 2022 to October reached 2,352,714 passengers, an increase of 47% from the previous year," explained Zulmafendi.

Although the occupancy has not yet matched the rate before the pandemic, Zulmafendi is optimistic that the trend of occupancy rate increasement of the South Sumatra LRT will continue in line with the various programs run by DJKA. "We have also increased the number of trips to 94 trips/day so that today we can see together that the South Sumatra LRT has been filled with Palembang citizen who want to go to their places of activity, especially during rush hours," said Zulmafendi.

Zulmafendi also explained that DJKA through BPKARSS will also collaborate with various stakeholders to encourage the use of the South Sumatra LRT by the community. "We wish that the various efforts we have made can improve the travel experience with the South Sumatra LRT so that this mode of transportation becomes the mainstay of the people of Palembang and its surroundings," concluded Zulmafendi. (HJA)