REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Jakarta's provincial government awaits the Provincial Legislative Assembly's (DPRD's) approval for financing to develop Jakarta's mass rapid transit (MRT) system phase-2 from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, Central Jakarta, to Kampung Bandan in Ancol, North Jakarta.

"We have submitted the proposal for financing the MRT phase-2 to the DPRD Jakarta, and now, we just wait for the decision," Jakarta Regional Secretary Saefullah remarked here on Sunday.

After receiving approval from DPRD Jakarta, the proposal will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Finance and finally to the National Development Planning Board.

Saefullah expressed hope that the discussion held by DPRD Jakarta on the proposed financing of rail-based transportation facilities would run quickly.

PT MRT Jakarta President Director William P. Sabandar noted here recently that the company had planned to start extending the route of the MRT phase-2 from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to Kampung Bandan.

"We plan to conduct the groundbreaking for the development of the MRT phase-2 next year," Sabandar stated.

According to Sabandar, the construction of mass transportation facilities is currently still in the stage of basic engineering design.

"Some time ago, we had completed the feasibility study, and now, we are in the stage of basic engineering design," Sabandar said, adding that he had coordinated with the central government on the plan to start the development of the MRT phase-2.

Sabandar said the MRT phase-2 will extend 8.3 kilometers from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to Kampung Bandan, with eight underground stations of Sarinah, Monas, Harmoni, Sawah Besar, Mangga Besar, Glodok, Kota, and Kampung Bandan.

The first phase of the MRT, stretching over 16 kilometers from Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, has been under construction since 2013.

The government expects that after becoming operational by 2019, it will be able to transport up to 173,400 passengers daily aboard 16 trains.

The trains, traveling five minutes apart, are designed to cover the distance in 30 minutes. This will significantly reduce travel time, which is currently two hours by car during rush-hour traffic.

Construction of the 87-kilometer third phase from Cikarang in east of Jakarta to Balaraja in the west, is scheduled to start in 2020. It is expected to be completed between 2024 and 2027.

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