REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Jokowi urges formation of Jabodetabek land transportation authority
JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged for the formation of a land transportation authority for the Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi, or Jabodetabek route, in order to handle land transportation issues.
The president held a meeting on Monday at the Presidential Office in Jakarta to discuss matters related to High Speed Train and Light Rail Transit (LRT).
"In order to support the development of transportation, I have urged the local administration in Jabodetabek to form a land transportation authority similar to that in other countries. Thus, the office, which is responsible for the sector, can handle the problems," Jokowi affirmed.
According to the president, the land transportation authority can discuss and solve problems related to transportation in the region.
Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia should start building mass transportation facilities to boost development.
"The construction of mass transportation facilities is intended to boost the nation's development and to reduce transportation-related costs and difficulties," Jokowi explained.
The president stated that the decision to develop a Mass Rapid Transportation system was delayed, as the land to be used is overcrowded, thereby hindering development.
The construction is also expensive due to the high price of the land.
"I thought the Jakarta administrator felt the construction was expensive due to the high land clearing cost," Jokowi said.
He is of the viewpoint that trains are an efficient and low-cost means of transportation within and between big cities.
The president emphasized that the development of transportation will be prioritized.
"Thus, we have planned with the provincial government to develop LRT in Jakarta and the inter-land areas. We hope the construction of high-speed trains for intercity transportation should be started immediately in 2015," Jokowi stated.
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