Transformative Transportation Development in Banten Province
Extensive Plans Unveiled for Mass Transit Growth
MRT Phase III: Expanding Horizons
In a bid to bolster public transportation, Banten Province gears up for the development of three major mass transit systems. The first, the MRT, is set to undergo a significant expansion known as MRT Phase III, extending from Balaraja, Banten through DKI Jakarta and concluding in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java.
The project, currently in preparation and planning stages, will unfold in three phases. The initial leg spans 33.76 kilometers from Kembangan to Ujung Menteng. Subsequent phases cover 50.3 kilometers, connecting Balaraja to Lintas Barat (Banten) and Medan Satria to Cikarang in Lintas Timur (Bekasi).
TOD Zones in Banten
Transit-oriented development (TOD) stations in Banten include Balaraja, Cibadak, Pasir Gadung, Otonom, Bunder, Kadu, Perumnas, Danau Ranau, Cikokol, Kebon Nanas, Panunggangan, Kunciran, Hasyim Asyari, and Karang Tengah.
KRL Commuter Line: Expanding to Merak
Plans for the KRL Commuter Line extension to Stasiun Merak have been discussed with the Ministry of Transportation. The move aims to enhance passenger convenience, particularly for the densely populated Lokal Merak route.
Tri Nurtopo, Head of Banten Provincial Transportation, expressed the desire for swift electrification, facilitating the shift from private vehicles to mass transit. If realized by 2026, Cilegon and Serang residents could benefit from the extended KRL service.
BRT Trans Banten: Untangling Transportation Chaos
To streamline transportation, Banten Province will introduce the BRT Trans Banten. The first corridor will traverse Cilegon Indah to Cikande, the second from Alamanda Trondol to Sindangsari, and the third from Banten Lama to Baros.
2020 Vision Becoming Reality
The groundwork for BRT Trans Banten was laid in 2020, with Tri Nurtopo highlighting studies inspired by BRT Trans Jawa Tengah in early 2023. Technical assessments are completed, and budget discussions for this transformative project are underway.
Budget Discussions and Future Prospects
Tri Nurtopo, Head of Banten Provincial Transportation, shared that budget discussions for BRT Trans Banten are ongoing, with plans conceived since 2020. Inspired by the success of BRT Trans Jawa Tengah, the technical aspects have been thoroughly studied, paving the way for the envisioned three-corridor BRT system in Kota Cilegon, Kota Serang, and Kabupaten Serang.
Tri envisions the introduction of small buses as an initial experiment, eventually transitioning to larger buses as passenger numbers grow. Subsidies and cashless payment options aim to make the system financially sustainable.
Despite the ambitious plans, Tri remains cautious about the timeline, stating that extensive studies and substantial budgetary preparations are prerequisites for realizing BRT Trans Banten, possibly extending beyond 2024.
This concerted effort by Banten Province signifies a transformative leap towards an advanced and interconnected public transportation network, promising improved accessibility and convenience for its residents.