Heaptalk, Jakarta — After urging the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to extend in Tangerang, South Tangerang’s Mayor, Benyamin Davnie, also advocates the expansion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the region.
He further explained that the LRT construction project to South Tangerang has been in place since 2018, when he was still serving as Deputy Mayor alongside Airin Rachmi Diany. Unfortunately, the project did not materialize at that time.
“This LRT project is an old program dating back to when I was the deputy with Mrs. Airin as mayor, and we had proposed it to the Ministry of Transportation. But recently, this issue has gained renewed interest,” said Benyamin.
Benyamin is taking a new approach to the mass transportation project through third-party investment. He targets property developers in Tangsel and PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) who will participate in the project. This is necessary because Benyamin knows that the Tangsel City Government’s budget will not be sufficient to finance the mega MRT and LRT projects. Therefore, funding from other parties is needed.
“I realize that using the regional budget, we will not be able to afford it. That’s why we are jointly partnering with PT MRT, with developers in South Tangerang City, to build the MRT to South Tangerang, including the LRT,” he said.
Fortunately, according to him, the developers and other relevant parties have welcomed this plan. They even proposed new routes to better meet the surrounding community’s needs.
“The reaction has been very positive, their response has been outstanding, and even the routes are being updated and re-evaluated. Initially, we planned to go through Ciputat to Pamulang route. Now, several routes may be proposed that better meet market needs,” he explained.
In addition to relying on third parties, Benyamin also hopes to receive assistance from the Banten Provincial Government to provide policies to accelerate the construction of these two projects and help from the central government, specifically the Ministry of Transportation.
“I hope there will also be support from the Banten Provincial Government regarding policies that can be elaborated with us concerning the MRT, including with the Ministry of Transportation. Alhamdulillah, we have communicated with them, and they support us and understand the regional budget constraints,” he explained.
The MRT and LRT projects to Tangsel are still in the feasibility study process. Benyamin hopes the process can move to the next stage, namely project bidding and so on, shortly. He targets that the public will be able to see the construction of this project in South Tangerang City by 2027 at the earliest.
“The feasibility study is currently being conducted, so regarding when the bidding and so on will take place, we will continue to push PT MRT to proceed as soon as possible. I hope that by 2027, the construction of the MRT in South Tangerang and the LRT will be initiated,” concluded Benyamin.
