President Jokowi Took First Ride on ART Train in IKN

Penajam Paser Utara, VIVA – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Tuesday rode the autonomous rail transit (ART) train in the country's new capital city Nusantara (IKN), East Kalimantan.

The president boarded the train from a stop in front of the IKN State Palace.

"We want mass transportation in the IKN to be based on green energy. We're looking forward to using the electric ART. Besides being cheap, it uses green energy," the head of state said on Tuesday, as quoted from Antara site.

The President assured that ART trains will operate during the Independence Day celebration at IKN on August 17, 2024.

He stated that ART trains can only operate on wide streets.

"The road must be wide for the ART, and the streets in IKN are designed to be wide, so it can be accommodated," President Jokowi remarked.

While riding the autonomous train, the president was accompanied by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing and the acting head of Nusantara City Authority (OIKN), Basuki Hadimuljono, as well as other officials.

Earlier, Minister Hadimuljono informed that his side has prepared four ART stops to serve guests during the Independence Day celebration at IKN.

The four stops are the Sumbu Kebangsaan Barat Stop, the Hotel Nusantara Stop, the Bank Indonesia Stop, and the Grande Stop.

Minister Hadimuljono added that the government has prepared electric buses to take guests to ART stops.

He further informed that the community can try the ART train for free during the Independence Day celebration.

During the activities on August 17, two ART trains - with a maximum capacity of 300 passengers each - will serve people in the Central Government Area.

Indonesia will hold the Independence Day anniversary commemoration at two locations, namely Nusantara and Jakarta.

The ceremony in Nusantara will be led by President Joko Widodo, while Vice President Ma'ruf Amin will lead the event in Jakarta.