Tour Trains at Monas Now Operating
Monday, 10 March, 2008 | 13:57 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Provincial Government of the Special Capital Territory (DKI) of Jakarta has been operating two tour trains at the National Monument (Monas) since yesterday (9/3).

These trains are aimed at attracting more people to visit one of the monuments that Indonesians are most proud of.

“Visitors can use these trains for free,” said Aurora Tambunan, Head of the Culture and Museums Office, at the launching of the train to journalists at Monas yesterday.

The trains operate between 08.00 and 17.30 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) with visitors being guided from the main West entry gate to Monas (in front of Indosat) to the monument

Every train contains three carriages for 36 passengers, with three crew members on each train: the driver, assistant, and tour guide.

This diesel-fueled train, is orange in color like the Transjakarta buses.

According to Aurora, this idea came from visitors, especially those from outside Jakarta and elderly who complained about the distance.

“Besides the long distance, a lot of them want to be sheltered from the sunshine or rain,” said Aurora.

Fauzi Bowo, the Governor of DKI Jakarta, asked people to take care of the trains.

“We don't want to have them all scratched within only two months,” he said

Based on a Tempo survey, around 100 people were enthusiastic to try out the trains, which take about 10 minutes to journey around the Monument and return to the Monas entry gate .

RUDY PRASETYO