INDONESIAN operator KAI Commuter (KCI) has signed a contract with CRRC Sifang for the supply of three new 12-car EMUs for use on commuter lines in Jakarta, adding to 16 new and 19 refurbished trains on order from domestic supplier PT Inka.

KCI says CRRC was competing with J-Trec, a subsidiary of East Japan Railway (JR East), and Korean companies Wojin and Dawonsys for the contract. CRRC presented an offer of Rupiah 783bn ($US 50m) to supply the three KCI-SFC120-V-type trains, which was the most affordable according to Ms Anne Purba, corporate secretary of KCI.

CRRC has agreed to offer customised air-conditioning systems and seat configurations to meet Indonesia’s specific technical requirements. Each train will accommodate 3396 passengers and have a maximum speed of 120km/h. Delivery is expected in 2025.

Financing for the deals is from a combination of loans and government funding.

KCI signed a memorandum of understanding with CRRC Qingdao Sifang in November to cooperate on the introduction of new EMUs, DMUs and diesel locomotives in the Indonesian market. CRRC has also supplied the fleet of high-speed trains operating the Jakarta - Bandung Whoosh service.

In addition, KCI agreed in March 2023 to purchase 16 new EMUs from state-owned manufacturer, PT Inka, for Rupiah 3.83 trillion. The manufacturer will also supply 19 refurbished trains under a Rupiah 2.23 trillion, five-year contract signed in November. Delivery of the first four trains will begin this month.

KCI carried a total of 290.89 million passengers on Jakarta commuter services in 2023, a 38% increase compared with 2022. It is now projecting a year-on-year ridership increase of 4% and expects to carry 1.2 million passengers every weekday in 2025. Ridership was at more 900,000 on weekdays in January.

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