Yogyakarta (17/3) - The Directorate General of Railways through the Railway Engineering Center (BTP) Class I Semarang, made a number of preparations ahead of the 2023 Lebaran Transportation period. One of the concerted efforts is the Rampcheck of railway facilities in the BTP Semarang working area. The rampcheck locations are spread across Java and Sumatra (6-31 March 2023), a form of synergy and collaboration between the Directorate of Railway Facilities, Directorate General of Railways, local BTPs and operators. 

Especially in the Semarang BTP work area, the rampcheck implementation is centered in Solo Balapan (Train Depot, Lomomotive Depot), PUK Lempuyangan, Yogyakarta (Train Depot, Lomotive Depot), Klaten KRL Depot, Purwokerto-Kutoarjo-Cilacap) (Train Depot, Lomotive Depot). "March 13-17, 2023, rampcheck has been carried out in Solo and Yogyakarta, the objects are locomotives, trains, KRL and KRD. March 20, 2023 will continue the rampcheck in Purwokerto-Kutoarjo-Cilacap)," explained the Head of BTP Semarang, Putu Sumarjaya.  

"The inspection includes administrative aspects, passenger transportation facilities operated for Lebaran Transportation in 2023 must be valid for the period of the periodic test, proven by a certificate of fitness of facilities / test pass mark. Then the inspection of technical aspects, inspection of items such as the body of the facility, the driver's cabin, braking equipment, control equipment, safety equipment, to supporting equipment. If the vehicle passes the ramp check, a sticker is placed on the body of the vehicle.  From the sticker, prospective train passengers can know that the train has been checked. They will be more confident that the locomotives and trains are fit and ready to operate for Lebaran transportation," he continued. 

The inspection of the feasibility and readiness for operation of railway facilities in Yogyakarta, Klaten and Surakarta was carried out on 7 locomotives, 36 KRL units, 43 KRD units, and 226 trains. "In general, the inspection results are feasible and ready for operation both in terms of quantity and quality. There are several locomotives that cannot be inspected because they are currently undergoing overhaul. As soon as the maintenance is completed, the Directorate of Railway Facilities Team and BTP Semarang will conduct an inspection," Putu said.

For information, rampcheck is carried out when locomotives, trains, KRL, and KRD are stabling (window time). This is intended so that train travel operations remain normal. Passenger transportation train facilities that have undergone inspection include: Taksaka Train, Bengawan Train, Sancaka Train, Senja Utama Train, Lodaya Train, Joglosemarkerto Train, Jaka Tingkir Train, YIA Airport Train, Prambanan Ekspres Train, Yogya-Solo-Palur KRL and Bathara Kresna Pioneer Train. 

"The principle of facility inspection must not interfere with existing services. The stabling of these facilities can be early in the morning, night until early in the morning. At 5am, the Inspector and BTP Team have gone to the field, so many units must be checked, in the afternoon, a short break. In the evening until late in the day, another inspection is carried out on idle facilities, especially for KRL. Right now, the Yogya-Solo-Palur KRL operates 20 trips per day, so at night it can only be checked. This is a challenge for our field team, they must be physically and mentally healthy and strong. Morning, afternoon, night, heat, rain. Praise be to God, our friends can optimize their duties," he said. 

"With this rampcheck, we want the public to be more confident that the train mode can be a superior mass public transportation mode, especially during the Lebaran Transportation period. We are tightening supervision, ensuring that the equipment is feasible, reliable, and according to this year's tagline, hopefully the homecoming community will be safe and memorable," Putu concluded. (humasbtpsemarang)