The Indonesian government is currently developing a new government center in Nusantara Capital (IKN), East Kalimantan. It is planned that on August 17, 2024, the Indonesian government will celebrate the 79th Independence Day at IKN.
The flag ceremony is expected to be attended by President Jokowi and Indonesia’s elected President for 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto. IKN itself is expected to be a special area in Indonesia where electric mass transportation (electric vehicles) will operate.
Several electric transport options have been prepared, such as electric buses, autonomous trains, and electric taxis.
“We believe the implementation of electric vehicles in IKN can be realized by August,” said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi recently.
Strangely, Budi Karya Sumadi did not mention flying taxis, even though the idea of flying taxis operating in IKN has been discussed for a long time.
He stated that they have not yet found suitable regulations.
“These regulations refer to developed countries, and even the United States has not given formal permission,” he said.
Therefore, the Ministry of Transportation has not yet granted permission for flying taxis as a mode of transportation in IKN.
“Using drones in the city has its risks. Therefore, we have not granted permission for flying taxis, for exhibitions yes, but not for public transport,” he explained.
For other electric vehicles, Budi Karya Sumadi is optimistic that everything is going according to plan. For example, electric buses have already undergone technical planning studies for public transportation in KIPP phase 1, proposing three route tracks.
The three routes are: the Park & Ride route to the Grand Mosque, requiring a total of 13 medium buses; the Park & Ride route to the Botanical Garden, requiring a total of 7 medium buses; and the Park & Ride 1 route to Park & Ride 2, requiring a total of 21 medium buses.
Meanwhile, the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) also plans to cooperate with Bluebird to serve routes within IKN or KIPP phase 1, in terms of electric bus procurement and operational plans.
Then, for 2025, a budget for Buy the Service (BTS) has been proposed to serve the IKN route. The planned routes will be adjusted according to the developed land parcels, while the number of required vehicles is still awaiting study and review from the OIKN team.
