To ensure the train operation continued during the pandemic, the Transportation Ministry is planning to grant subsidies of Covid-19 rapid tests for passengers of long-distance train routes.
It said by the Ministry’s Director-General of Railway, Zulfikri, in a webinar on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020.
“We have a plan to grant subsidies of Covid-19 rapid tests for passengers. And the agenda was being discussed with state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).”
Zulfikri also stated that the provision of subsidies is aimed to develop trust in services for the public. And now, the party was reviewing stimulus that would be given to operators.
The ministry also was mulling over other subsidies.
Other than rapid tests, they also have a plan about the operating payment during the first semester for certain trains and the addition of public service obligations (PSO) due to the limitation on the number of passengers. But, he stopped short of detailing the budget.
During the pandemic, the occupancy rate per trip was still below 47 percent for long-distance trips and local routes by the train and it caused a major impact on the service industry.
Although the number of train passengers has increased since August,
but he also told that the number of passengers is still around 60,000.
“And ahead of September, the number of passengers continues to decrease even though there are more trips.”
