FOCUS OF TESTING YIA AIRPORT TRAIN FOR SAFETY, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF RAILWAYS HAVE NOT PROPOSED A DATE OF OFFICIAL

Jakarta (12/8) –

The Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation is currently focusing on testing the Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) Airport Train. In accordance with Law Number 23 of 2007 concerning Railways, before being operated, both infrastructure and facilities must be tested. This is to ensure that what has been built and what will be operated meets certain standards, so that it is feasible and feasible to operate so that the safety of the Railway can be guaranteed.

"In the construction of the YIA Airport Train, we are in the process of testing and have not proposed when the Airport Train will be inaugurated. This also straightens out the news circulating regarding the inauguration date," said Director General Zulfikri in Jakarta today (12/08).

According to him, after almost completion of all the construction of railway infrastructure, simultaneously testing both the infrastructure and facilities are carried out. "All the testing processes for the YIA Airport Train are carried out strictly." The series of tests carried out included infrastructure testing covering the feasibility of civil and track infrastructure, signals and telecommunications, training operations and signaling services. In addition, there are static and dynamic load testing of the bridge, as well as track testing with a measuring cart/accelerometer.

Tests of limited or no passenger facilities on the double track have also been carried out since July 19, 2021 on the downstream route by operating the KRDE, the KLB Ballast series and also testing diesel locomotives. Testing of operational facilities and safety assessments have also been completed.

In this test all related elements were involved, including the test team from the Railway Testing Center, the team from the relevant technical directorate at DJKA, the Central Java Railway Engineering Center, contractors, consultants and operators (PT. KAI and PT. Angkasa Pura I).

All findings and recommendations for testing infrastructure, facilities and safety assessments will be followed up so that the element of safety is truly fulfilled. "There are major and minor findings and recommendations, of course this also needs time to make improvements and adjustments according to the existing findings," said Zulfikri.

Zulfikri explained that for the YIA Airport Train there are at least three stages that will be carried out after the testing process is complete. "The first stage is the Commissioning stage, the plan is from 17 to 31 August 2021. This stage is carried out under the KRDE Extraordinary Trip (PLB) scheme without passengers, or certain passengers for technical purposes. The purpose of this stage is to set parameters, system integration ensures the readiness of infrastructure and facilities used."

"Both Trial and Run stages are carried out by PLB KRDE with limited passengers or invitations. The train operating schedule at this stage has been adjusted to the flight schedule at Yogyakarta International Airport. The purpose of this stage is to socialize and educate the public regarding operating patterns, such as departure times, stopping stations, ticketing systems, and other services as well as final preparations for the commercial operation of this YIA Airport Train."

"Last is the Commercial/Service Operational stage, where the Airport Train operates to serve the public for a fee. It is planned for the initial stage there will be 30 train trips per day with a travel time of 39 minutes. PT. KAI as the train operator will prepare 4 trainsets with a system for operation, maintenance and backup.

The airport train will stop at three service stations, namely Tugu Yogya Station, Wates Station and YIA Airport Train Station with an average headway of 60 minutes. If the flight conditions are normal, the frequency will be gradually increased to 56 trips with an average headway of 30 minutes.

"For that we hope for the support and prayers of the community and be patient waiting for the operation time and inauguration. We have completed all the testing processes and stages so that the YIA Airport Train will be really comfortable and safe in providing services to service users", concluded Zulfikri. (spn/wid)