PALEMBANG - Public Relations of the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia together with media colleagues visited the Light Rail Transit (LRT) of South Sumatra (South Sumatra), Saturday 20 July 2024. This visit aims to make documentary coverage that will showcase the advantages of South Sumatra LRT as well as interesting tourist destinations in the vicinity.

The two-day visit started with an LRT ride from Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport Station to DJKA Station, Palembang. The participants, consisting of journalists, photographers, and videographers, were warmly welcomed by the South Sumatra LRT Public Relations Team, who were ready to provide complete information on LRT operations.

In his remarks, Rode Paulus, head of the South Sumatra Light Railway Management Center, conveyed the importance of the media's role in disseminating information about the development of transportation infrastructure in Indonesia. "The media plays a strategic role in educating the public about the benefits of mass transportation, such as LRT. We hope that through this documentary coverage, the public can better understand and support the government's efforts to develop environmentally friendly and efficient transportation," he said.

During the visit, media partners were invited to see firsthand the facilities and technology used in the South Sumatra LRT. They had the opportunity to enter the LRT operations control room, see the safety system, and witness the train maintenance process that is carried out regularly to ensure passenger safety and comfort. In addition, the journalists had the opportunity to interview several passengers who use the LRT as their daily mode of transportation. The experiences and stories of these passengers add color to the documentary coverage.

After exploring the LRT, the group continued their trip to several tourist destinations along the South Sumatra LRT line. One of them is Ampera Bridge, an icon of Palembang city, which is the main attraction for local and foreign tourists. Around the Ampera Bridge is the 16 Ilir Market, which is famous for its crowds and variety of Palembang culinary specialties such as pempek, tekwan, and various other traditional foods. The journalists captured interesting moments in this market and tried a variety of delicious dishes. After Ampera, they continued their trip to Kemaro Island and other tourist attractions.

The coverage by the media partners together with DJKA Public Relations is expected to provide useful and inspiring information to the wider community. The documentary is also expected to educate the public on the importance of using mass transportation such as the LRT, which is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. In addition, the coverage of tourist destinations around the LRT line is expected to increase the interest of tourists to visit Palembang and enjoy its beauty and cultural richness.

With the synergy between DJKA Public Relations and media partners, efforts to raise awareness about the importance of mass transportation and local tourism potential are expected to be more effective. The documentary will be aired on various media platforms in the coming months as part of an educational campaign and tourism promotion in Indonesia.