Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wants more Indonesian cities to have green energy-powered mass transportation, while also recommending the much cheaper trackless tram -- just like the one in the planned new capital Nusantara.

Jokowi recently tried out the China-made autonomous rail rapid transit (ART) in Nusantara as the city geared up to host the Independence Day ceremony later this week. Despite its name, the ART  does not run on physical tracks, but it follows road markings and magnets for movement. This makes it a cheaper alternative compared to Jakarta’s existing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Jabodebek, both of which operate on rails. Jokowi claimed that it cost about Rp 70 billion (around $4.5 million) to have a single ART train set. 

“If we want to build an MRT system, it will cost us Rp 2.3 trillion per kilometer. The costs can reach around Rp 700 billion per kilometer for an LRT system. So that’s the difference,” Jokowi told the press.

He added: “The ART is not a rail-based transportation so it is cheaper. We don’t need to build the infrastructure. We need to use the existing [infrastructure] and roads.”

Jokowi said he wanted to see other Indonesian cities such as Surabaya, Makassar, Medan or Bandung to install mass transportation -- specifically one powered by green energy. However, Jokowi is aware that building the ART network in other cities might be hard as it would require wider roads. Indonesia is building Nusantara from scratch, so the city’s construction already makes sure that the roads are suitable for the trackless trams.

“The problem is the roads in most Indonesian cities are not wide enough. So not all cities can adopt this ART system,” Jokowi said.

Nusantara’s battery-powered trackless tram will recharge its power after taking the passengers in the morning and before their evening trips. China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) produced the city’s ART system. 

According to the Transport Ministry, the project has entered the proof-of-concept phase which will take place until Oct. 10. The Indonesian government will then evaluate the project before people can try riding the railless tram. 

Infrastructure development has become integral in Jokowi’s economic policies over the past decade. The two-term president has launched a number of large-scale transportation projects, including Jakarta's MRT. 

Indonesia mainly relies on Japanese loans to construct the MRT that currently links Lebak Bulus and the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. Earlier this year, Japan agreed to provide 140.699 billion yen (approximately $957.9 million) in loans to expand the MRT network. 

Indonesia spent Rp 32.6 trillion to construct the LRT Jabodebek, which connects Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi. Jokowi launched the LRT Jabodebek last year.

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