Jakarta. The Jakarta administration began a trial run Thursday of the new LRT Jakarta route connecting Kelapa Gading and Manggarai, ahead of its planned commercial launch.

The trial is intended to test the service and facilities while gathering feedback from passengers before the route opens to the public.

The trial will be conducted in three stages. Journalists will take part in the first stage. The second stage will open the service to residents living near the route and other members of the public through online registration on the official website. The third stage will begin after the route's official launch, when the service enters full operation.

Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Budi Awaluddin said the trial follows coordination with the Transportation Ministry's Directorate General of Railways (DJKA).

“This trial is part of our efforts to improve the service. We want to get feedback, suggestions and opinions from the public about what is still lacking, so everything can be prepared when the service starts,” Budi said.

He said the administration has not yet set a date for the commercial launch as preparations are still underway.

Passengers participating in the trial will not be charged a fare. They will receive special cards to test the ticketing and station gate systems, including tap-in and tap-out functions.

“For now, there is no charge. Today's review focused on the gate and ticketing systems, and thankfully everything went smoothly,” Budi said.

Route and Infrastructure Readiness
The route from Pegangsaan Dua in Kelapa Gading to Manggarai covers 11 stations and is expected to take about 28 to 29 minutes one way.

Track and station construction is about 99% complete, with work remaining mainly on station entrances and physical integration.

The administration is also preparing an interchange between the LRT and KRL commuter rail services at Manggarai Station. A pedestrian bridge connecting the LRT and KRL stations is targeted for completion in September.

LRT Jakarta's president director said the administration is also working to restore road space beneath the LRT track so it can be used normally again.

Greening work beneath the LRT line is also underway, with the Jakarta Parks and City Forest Agency overseeing the project.

The administration is preparing park-and-ride facilities at several locations, including Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), Pegangsaan Dua, Velodrome and Manggarai.

Budi said the new route is expected to encourage more people, particularly private vehicle users, to switch to public transportation.

“The main hope is that people who use private vehicles can switch to public transportation,” Budi said.

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