Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – A total of 58 Feeder LRT units in Palembang are at risk of halting operations, potentially disrupting thousands of daily commuters. This situation arises due to the Feeder LRT Musi Emas, managed by PT Transportasi Global Mandiri (TGM), not receiving payments for the past three months and their cooperation contract ending on August 31, 2023, as revealed by the Director of PT TGM, Suhanto, on Friday (01/09/2023).
Five Feeder LRT Musi Palembang routes have ceased operations:
- Corridor 3 (Asrama Haji – Talang Betutu)
- Corridor 4 (Polrestabes Station – OPI Housing Complex)
- Corridor 5 (DJKA Station – Tegal Binangun)
- Corridor 6 (RSUD Station – Sukawinatan)
- Corridor 7 (Bukit – Kamboja Stadium via Sriwijaya Station)
PT TGM is seeking clarity and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South Sumatra Light Rail Transit Authority (Balai Kereta Api Ringan Sumatera Selatan) to resume their operations as usual.
“We want clarity from them, and if there is an answer today, we are ready to operate again,” expressed Suhanto.
The cessation of Feeder LRT Musi Emas operations has a significant impact on the community, especially their loyal passengers, numbering more than 4,000 individuals daily, including students and workers.
To date, the South Sumatra Light Rail Transit Authority has not provided legal certainty to PT TGM. Pramudi, an employee of PT TGM, expressed readiness to work but cannot continue operations without clarity from the authority.
PT TGM hopes that this issue can be promptly resolved, allowing them to resume serving the Palembang community.
Meanwhile, the South Sumatra Light Rail Transit Authority (Balai Pengelola Kereta Api Ringan Sumatera Selatan or BPKARSS) extends apologies for the halt in services of five Feeder Angkot Musi Emas corridors.
Rode Paulus, Head of BPKARSS, explained that they are currently undergoing a budget revision at the central level.
“First and foremost, we would like to convey our apologies to the South Sumatra community who are feeling the effects of the Feeder service suspension today,” said Rode on Friday (1/9/2023).
Rode added that they are in ongoing discussions with PT TGM, the Feeder LRT operator, and simultaneously working on the budget revision process.
“We hope this revision can be completed as soon as possible,” stated Rode.
As additional information, since December 2022, BPKARSS has been implementing the Feeder LRT Sumsel Service Assignment with the five corridors mentioned earlier. They promise to expedite the review process and provide certainty to PT TGM so that Feeder LRT Musi Emas can resume serving the South Sumatra community as before.
“Once again, we extend our apologies,” said Rode.