IKN Offers Free Rides on ART Train, Electric Bus Until End of 2024

Penajam Paser Utara, VIVA – Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi announced that the public can use the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) until December 2024, even though it isn't yet fully operational.

"In this month of independence, we are offering free ART Train services. After that, we will conduct testing and prepare it for continued free use," the minister said on Saturday (Aug 17).

Minister Sumadi explained that there will be two routes served by the ART, covering distances of 2 kilometers and 7 kilometers.

"The ART Train has two trainsets, but currently, we're only operating one. There are two loops in IKN: a large one covering 7 km and a smaller one covering 2 km. On August 17, we operated the smaller loop," he explained.

Minister Sumadi added, "Later, we will operate the 7 km loop. This way, all activities in IKN, including hotels, hospitals, and offices, can be connected with this ART feeder,"

In addition to the ART, electric buses in IKN Nusantara will also be available for free use, although their operation is not yet fully in place.

"According to SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), we operate the ART and electric buses daily, with a maximum headway of 5 minutes. However, as the population is still not very large, the headway might not be that tight at the moment," he concluded.