REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- The Surabaya city government has predicted that the construction of the tram mode of transport, which is part of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project in the city, can be started only in 2016.

"The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the development of the tram mode of transport has been signed. We will only prepare its detailed design," Secretary of the Surabaya City Government Hendro Gunawan said here on Friday.

The city government is still in the process of holding intensive meetings with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the Transportation Ministry and the World Bank, he added.

At the meeting, a follow-up on technical assistance from the Bappenas was discussed, as well as the Transportation Ministry's focus on finalizing the design, Gunawan stated.

Several major cities are competing with one another over developing MRT projects. But the construction of some of the MRT projects has dragged on, he remarked.

However, Gunawan expressed optimism that the construction of the tramline in Surabaya will run smoothly.

"The problems MRT projects mostly face are related to land. But I think the construction of the tramline in Surabaya will not face issues as we will reactivate the old line to develop it," he explained.

The tramline, which will cover a distance of 17 kilometers, will connect Wonokromo in the south to Jalan Indrapura in the north via Jalan Pandegiling, Embong Malang, Kedungdoro, Pasar Blauran, Pasar Turi, Jalan Rajawali, Jembatan Merah, Tugu Pahlawan, Jalan Tunjungan and Jalan Panglima Sudirman.

The tramline will have 29 stops, with the distance between each stop being 1.5 to 2 kilometers.

Each tram will consist of two cars with a capacity of carrying 200 passengers. The cars will be imported, and the trams will be battery-operated, which will enable them to run at a speed of 30 kilometers/hour.

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