Padang (16/11) – West Sumatra has a very long history of railways, dating back to the Dutch colonial era. The rail network was built connecting productive areas producing food to the port using trains to be transported by ship. Along with the times, the rail network is no longer used so that currently many rails are inactive with buildings on it. Whereas rail transportation is a mass transportation that is needed in big cities. For this reason, the Directorate General of Railways through the Railway Engineering Center for the Western Sumatra Region continues to develop rail transportation in several areas in West Sumatra. In addition, efforts to accelerate the improvement of safety are also carried out because although the number of trains operating is not large, the rate of train accidents is the highest in Indonesia.

"The Directorate General of Railways has made many efforts to improve rail transportation in West Sumatra. Since 2015, through BTP Sumbagbar, the Directorate General of Railways has built various rail infrastructure facilities, one of which is the BIM or Minangkabau Express train," said Secretary-General of Railways Zulmafendi in a Press Tour to Build Railways in West Sumatra on Monday, November 15, 2021.

He further explained several railway projects built in West Sumatra include the construction of the BIM Airport Train which was built in 2015 and inaugurated by the President in 2018. The construction of the Duku – BIM railway line, which began with the preparation of DED in 2010, was followed by land acquisition by the provincial government. West Sumatra in 2012-2015, and construction activities carried out in 2012-2017. The groundbreaking itself was carried out by the President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2015.

"The West Sumatra Provincial Government continues to support the efforts of the Directorate General of Railways to continue to build rail transportation. However, in addition to physical development, cultural development for taking trains through socialization and content on social media also needs to be improved," said West Sumatra Deputy Governor Audy Joinaldy.

The West Sumatra Provincial Government also provides support for the improvement of the Padang - Pariaman railway line in 2020 - 2022, which is planned to be developed by the commuter train in the city of Padang. This activity includes the improvement of 2 bridges with a length of 30 and 50 meters, as well as the improvement of several railway lines with a total length of 53.5 Kmsp.

"Meanwhile, Railways Engineering Center for West Sumatra Region has also prepared activities to support the extension of the commuter train crossing from Padang - Bukitput - Pauhlima and the transportation of goods in the form of CPO and Cement in 2020 - 2024," said Suranto, Head of Railways Engineering Center for West Sumatra Region.

This cross-extension activity includes the improvement of 10 bridges and the improvement of railway lines based on the results of a survey of community needs in the area, the potential for airport train passengers, as well as the potential for generation and attraction of passengers around Pauhlima Station through Andalas University.

In the tourism transportation sector, Railways Engineering Center for West Sumatra Region has also prioritized the construction of railways in the Sawahlunto area through the normalization of the Sawahlunto - Muaro Kalaban - Batu Tabal railway line, as one of the supports from the Directorate General of Railways for UNESCO world heritage sites. This line will improve the service of the railway line in the eastern part of West Sumatra, the connectivity of the Trans Sumatra Railways, as well as the support of the local government.

In addition to infrastructure development, Railways Engineering Center for West Sumatra Region is also focusing on efforts to improve Railways Safety in the West Sumatra region, in particular to reduce the number of accidents at level crossings. Currently, the number of level crossings on the active railway line has reached 370 and continues to decline in line with the closure of level crossings by Railways Engineering Center for West Sumatra Region.

"As an initial program, in 2021, socialization will be carried out to the public, installing banners, making media publications, which will peak on December 29." Suranto concluded.

The Press Tour activity is a routine program carried out by the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation by bringing the media to the regions to provide experience and insight about the development that is being carried out. It is hoped that this activity can provide wider information to the public about Railway development. Present at this event were the Deputy Governor of West Sumatra, Secretary-General of Railways, Head of Division II PT. KAI and Lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering Undalas.