Vice President Gibran Inspects Battery-Powered Tram Project in Solo
Solo, The Gulf Observer: Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited Purwosari Station in Solo, Central Java, on Saturday to inspect the trial run of a new battery-powered tram system, marking his first return to his hometown since his inauguration on October 20, 2024.
Arriving at 7:11 a.m. in a Maung vehicle produced by state-owned defense manufacturer PT Pindad, Gibran was joined by the Director of Development at PT INKA, Roppiq Lutzfi Azhar, and Acting Governor of Central Java Nana Sudjana. At Purwosari Station, he conducted a 20-minute review of the battery tram, receiving a comprehensive briefing from officials on the tram’s potential role in transforming Solo’s public transportation landscape.
PT INKA Manager of Public Relations and Protocol Nuur Aisyah Murti shared that the Vice President’s visit aimed to observe the tram trial’s progress. “We are very surprised by his visit, but what is clear is that he encourages us to continue innovating in transportation technology,” Murti said.
The battery-powered tram trial, scheduled to run from November 4 to November 22, 2024, positions Solo as an ideal testing ground due to its central tram track. Murti emphasized the tram’s potential in alleviating urban traffic congestion, saying, “Our expectation is that it can support city transportation as a solution to the congestion of motorized vehicles.”
Vice President Gibran also urged PT INKA to expedite testing and finalization of the battery technology, which is currently in its third stage of trials. “There is still much that needs to be tested,” Murti noted, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing sustainable public transportation solutions in Indonesia.
