PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas (VKTR), a subsidiary of PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk (BNBR) which is engaged in manufacturing electrification of transportation and telematics ecosystems, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Jasa Sarana, a BUMD owned by the West Java Provincial Government. The signing was carried out by the President Director of PT VKTR Mobilitas Technology, Gilarsi W. Setijono and the President Director of PT Jasa Sarana, Hanif Mantiq, in Jakarta, Friday (17/6/2022).

Gilarsi said the signing of the MoU was carried out to support the cooperation plan between VKTR and PT Jasa Sarana in implementing the electrification program for buses and other vehicles as a means of public transportation. The electric bus is planned to operate in the Greater Bandung area, which includes Bandung City, Bandung Regency, West Bandung Regency, Cimahi City, and parts of Sumedang Regency. “This collaboration will include conducting a feasibility study, data collection, procurement of electric bus facilities, and electrical infrastructure related to bus electrification, and other potentials that can be synergized and collaborated,” Gilarsi told reporters.

According to Gilarsi, the traffic population in Greater Bandung has increased significantly, resulting in various problems, including congestion and high carbon emissions. To that end, the West Java Provincial Government through PT Jasa Sarana, took the initiative to develop a bus rapid transit (BRT) in the Greater Bandung area. The plan, continued Gilarsi, is that the BRT will be operated through 12 routes with a bus fleet of more than 260 units. Most of them are electric buses of medium size (medium).

“Alhamdulillah, VKTR is at the forefront to support and be part of the West Java Provincial Government’s big step in the BRT development project, especially for the electrification of public transportation in Greater Bandung,” said Gilarsi. He also conveyed that there are many potentials for electrification of transportation that can be worked on in Greater Bandung. Based on data, currently the most common mode of transportation in Greater Bandung is angkot (city transportation), which accounts for 95 percent of all public transportation modes. “This is a huge opportunity and potential for both parties to work together to ‘repower’ or convert these petrol-engined angkots into electric angkots. That way, the old fleet is not wasted and the goal of reducing carbon emissions is also achieved,” he explained.

President Director of PT Jasa Sarana, Hanif Mantiq said, last year since being appointed by the Governor of West Java to carry out this BRT project, his party has continuously conducted studies and opportunities for collaboration with many parties. Comparative studies and exploration of cooperation have been carried out, both domestically and abroad, to realize this Greater Bandung BRT. “Electrification of BRT transportation in the Greater Bandung area is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, and create a special attraction for the community, to then switch from private vehicle transportation to public transportation modes. And of course, this collaboration is a collaboration opportunity full of positive potential, in order to support the achievement of the goals of the Central Government, Regional Government and Regency / City, so that the ideals of environmental conservation can be optimally maintained,” said Hanif Mantiq.

Multi-Party Collaboration

Earlier this year, together with PT Transport Jakarta (Transjakarta) and PT Mayasari Bakti, a total of 30 units of VKTR-BYD electric buses were launched as part of the Transjakarta fleet and have been going back and forth on the streets serving transportation for residents of the capital. In the future, the Company will expand the range of VKTR products to areas other than DKI Jakarta. Currently, VKTR is promoting collaboration with various parties, as one of the Company’s strategies to localize technology and develop a transportation electrification ecosystem for its manufactured products. In addition to BYD Auto, VKTR has signed a partnership with British environmentally friendly battery manufacturer British Volt, car body company Tri Sakti, British heavy mobility technology company Equipmake, Surabaya State Electronics Polytechnic (PENS), Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta and a number of parties. other. “All these collaborations are carried out to build a complete transportation electrification ecosystem in Indonesia, from upstream to downstream,” said Gilarsi.