REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the government would continue to support operational of the elevated train (LRT) in Palembang, South Sumatra. Therefore, he asked the communities not to be worried on the fate of LRT Palembang.

Subsidies to be given as the operation of LRT cost billions of rupiah per month, Budi said. He called on the people to use LRT Palembang. 

"We will urge the integration of LRT Palembang with other transportation modes and new routes from the suburb to be made available," he said during the first day of a working visit to Palembang on Monday (Feb 12) afternoon.

Light Rapid Transit (LRT) at Jakabaring, Palembang, South Sumatra.

In a visit on its first day, Minister of Transportation led a discussion with the theme "The Effectiveness of South Sumatra LRT Trains" whose activities take place within the elevated train (LRT) with a route from the LRT Airport SMB II Palembang Station and ends at Palembang Sriwijaya LRT Station. In the discussion, the Minister of Transportation accompanied by the Governor of South Sumatra Herman Deru explained the benefits of LRT trains for the people of South Sumatra in general.

According to Budi Karya, LRT trains are a modern mode of transportation provided by the government to overcome traffic congestion problems in the capital city of the Province of South Sumatra which has experienced rapid development and economic growth.

To operate the elevated train requires a significant cost, this condition requires joint attention between the regional and central governments, so that it can continue to operate serving the community, said the Minister of Transportation.

Previously, Ministry of Transportation has poured a budget of Rp300 billion to subsidize the rate of LRT Palembang. In a written statement on August 1, 2018, Budi hoped that within three years this subsidy can be fulfilled.

"Tariff we set Rp5,000 for short distance and Rp10,000 for route to airport. The subsidy is Rp200-300 billion per year, and we hope in three years it can be fulfilled), no longer need to be subsidized and can walk by itself," said Budi.

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