BANBUNG, June 26 (EngineeringDaily) -- West Java, Indonesia, is poised to enter the fray of technologically advanced public transportation with the planned construction of an Aeromovel. One of the most recent developments in railways, this system utilizes air pressure as propulsion and as such represents a move toward more environmentally conscious, sustainable mass transit.

The Aeromovel project will be constructed in Bekasi, a city in West Java that serves as the eastern border of the large capital city of Jakarta. The project will require a total investment of Rp 2 trillion (USD 167 million), and is considered cheaper than an underground MRT or monorail. The project will utilize land from three housing estates in the Bekasi area.

Siswanto Prawiroatmodjo, representative of PT Cakar Bumi Integrasi (CBI) and the primary consultant for the project, explained that the projected budget would be sufficient to build a 12 kilometer-long rail track encircling three sub-districts, including Medansa Tria, West Bekasi, and South Bekasi.

Prawiroatmodjo also added that development costs for the project amount to Rp 75 billion (USD 6.25 million) per kilometer. In comparison, the construction of an underground mass rapid transit (MRT) or monorail would cost Rp 1 trillion (USD 83 million) and Rp 150 billion (USD 12.5 million) per kilometer respectively. Moreover, for the planned Aeromovel project, "The budget amount is also sufficient to supply 25 Aeromovel vehicles capable of transporting 250,000 passengers every day," he said.

In addition to the cost benefits, Prawiroatmodjo was eager to share the eco-benefits the project will have. The Aeromovel trains will be driven by wind gusts, so they will be more efficient and environmentally friendly than other mass transit systems. The project is also being constructed to connect smoothly with other existing transportation modes, such as the Trans-Jakarta bus system.

The efficiency and low cost of the Aeromovel project will allow for a lower transportation cost for citizens. "We expect people will only pay Rp 10 thousand (USD 80 cents) per person to travel by Aeromovel. But this of course will depend on the upcoming study on the field," Prawiroatmodjo reported.

He also added that, if the offer of cooperation is approved by the Bekasi City Administration, financing of its development up to the maintenance phase shall be established in collaboration with PT GCI. The consortium has a number of participating companies in the project plan, consisting of PT CBI, PT Public Private Partnership Indonesia, and PT GCI.

In order for the project to be successfully completed, Deputy Mayor of Bekasi Ahmad Syaikhu emphasized the need for a memorandum of understanding for the cooperation. "The process is still in the planning process in relevant agencies. We are measuring the utilization of fasos [social facilities] and fasum [public facilities] for the route that the Aeromovel will service," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Syaikhu hopes this kind of mass transport will offer a solution to congestion and will easily be integrated with residential and commercial areas. Data from the local Office of Transportation shows there are at least 19 traffic jam location points in Bekasi City. Bekasi City Government has been trying to reduce the existing congestion points; one of the ways is by promoting mass transport modes, such as the APTB. In addition to the APTB, Bekasi City Government has also opened the door for the entry of TransJakarta bus fleet serving the Pulogadung - Harapan Indah route beginning May 2014.
 
By Ismail Al Anshori