Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan inaugurates Ratangga as the name of MRT Train Phase 1 for Lebak Bulus-Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) route.

We hope Ratangga could be one of the solutions to solve traffic congestion

Ratangga is known from Old Javanese or Sanskrit language which means chariot. It was mentioned in a poem at Arjuna Wijaya Book and Sutasoma Book by Mpu Tantular.

This chariot is identical with fighters and strength. Thus, he hopes Ratangga could be a great transportation mode which is strong for citizens who strive for better life.

He mentioned, this naming has been discussed together with grammar experts.

"Its message is clear, there is a power and struggle. This train users are the people who will struggle with toughness. MRT is also built by Indonesian people who are tough and full of spirit," he expressed after checking MRT operational readiness by using Ratangga from Bundaran HI to Lebak Bulus Depo, Monday (12/10).

According to him, Ratangga is not only a name but also brings a meaningful message.

"I hope all public facilitates in Jakarta and Indonesia could be given names that absorbs historical roots as Ratangga," he conveyed.

He explained, Ratangga is operated not only to improve people's mobility, but also to give other benefits such as improved air quality and lifestyle change for people to use public transportation more often.

"We hope Ratangga could be one of the solutions to solve traffic congestion," he mentioned.

PT. MRT Jakarta President Director, William Sabandar said, currently there are 16 sets of Ratangga Train that contains of six train cars for each train set.

"We will continue to do limited trials before it is fully operated in March 2019," he conveyed.

For information, Anies using Ratangga from Bundaran HI into Lebak Bulus Depot in 15 minutes without stopping at each stations.

Meanwhile, when it is operated, this train will stop at each stations from Lebak Bulus to Bundaran HI that has distance around 16 kilometers and targeted to finish one trip within 30 minutes.