A Korea-made light rail will connect the athletes’ village and various sporting venues, consuming less electricity and producing less noise than comparable transport systems.
A light rail train made by a Korean company will play a major part in carrying athletes and visitors to and from the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games.
Hyundai Rotem, a heavy equipment manufacturer, won the contract with the Indonesian government to build the light rail system on Feb. 1. It will be the first light rail to be operated in Indonesia.
The company will build 16 train cars. Eight of them -- half the order -- will operate in Jakarta starting in July 2018 in preparation for the Asian Games, which start in August 2018. The second half of the order will be completed afterward. Each of the two-car trains can carry 270 people.
The light rail line runs 5.8 kilometers and connects 5 stations between the athletes’ village and various sporting venues.
According to Hyundai Rotem, the light rail system will be the crucial transportation for visitors to the Asian Games, as the city lacks in transportation infrastructure.
Light rail systems are designed to be lightweight, which reduces energy consumption. Also, metal wheels have rubber rims, which help to minimize noise.
Finally, the cars are equipped with wheelchair locks and additional space for baby carriages. These facilities will allow passengers during and after the Asian Games to commute using light rail without difficulties.
“We are aware that our light rail is to play an important role in carrying visitors for the Asian Games, and we will do our best to make the cars safe and high quality,” said a Hyundai Rotem official.
By Kim Young Shin
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Hyundai Rotem
ysk1111@korea.kr