South Tangerang. The Banten provincial government has opened talks to fast-track the extension of Jakarta’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network into Greater Tangerang, seeking to ease congestion and strengthen transport links in the capital’s satellite cities.

Banten Governor Andra Soni said Monday the discussions involved MRT Jakarta, local governments in Greater Tangerang, and the Transportation Ministry’s Directorate General of Railways. The talks focused on follow-up steps and financing schemes for the project.

“We held intensive discussions today regarding the Lebak Bulus–Serpong and Kembangan–Balaraja lines. The timeline and necessary follow-ups were presented so that MRT services can become a reality in Banten,” Andra said, without giving further details.

He added that the Cikarang–Balaraja corridor is already listed as a National Strategic Project and will be integrated with Jakarta’s MRT. The 89-kilometer Balaraja–Cikarang line, passing through West Jakarta’s Kembangan area, forms Phase 3 of the MRT’s East–West expansion.

Andra said Banten is pushing for acceleration under Indonesia’s 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan. “We want faster progress because waiting for one line to finish before starting another would take far too long,” he said.

The Banten Province would cover around 17 kilometers of the planned 23-kilometer Serpong–Lebak Bulus line, with the remainder located in Jakarta. The proposed Kembangan–Balaraja line would further connect the province to the capital’s transit network.

He stressed that Monday’s meeting was not for decision-making but to align strategies among provincial and local governments, MRT operators, and private stakeholders. “There are several stages we must go through, from institutional to financial matters. That is what we are thinking through together,” he said.

Andra added that Banten is also coordinating with the Jakarta provincial government, which operates MRT Jakarta. “I have held several discussions with Jakarta Governor Pramono and expressed my support, since MRT is a Jakarta-owned company,” he said.

The 89-kilometer East–West Phase 3 will cover 24.5 kilometers between Medan Satria in East Jakarta and Tomang in West Jakarta, with 21 stations and a train depot. An international tender is expected in October or November, backed by Japanese financing. The tender process is expected to conclude within a year, with construction slated to begin in 2026 near Kwitang. Early works such as land acquisition and utility relocation are already underway.

Meanwhile, Phase 2, an 11.8-kilometer northbound extension from the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout to Ancol Barat, is now halfway complete. Its six-kilometer segment connecting central Jakarta to Kota, budgeted at Rp 12 trillion ($739 million), is due for completion by 2029.

Phase 4, linking Fatmawati in South Jakarta to the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah cultural park, is currently undergoing a feasibility study. The 12-kilometer corridor, combining elevated and underground tracks, is expected to feature 10 stations and a depot in Kampung Rambutan. Authorities are considering a public–private partnership to fund its construction.