The government is pressing ahead with the construction of light rapid transit (LRT) networks in several cities as one way to tackle traffic jams.

“Every year, we suffer losses of 35 trillion rupiah [US$2.62 billion]. Therefore, LRT development is necessary because we don’t want to lose more money because of traffic congestion,” Jokowi said when opening a limited Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office on Tuesday.

Based on government data, annual losses cause by traffic congestion comprise Rp 28 trillion in Jakarta and Rp 7 trillion in Bandung.

LRT networks will be built in Palembang in South Sumatra, Bandung and Greater Jakarta, connecting Jakarta, Depok and Bekasi. Construction of the LRT is currently under way, as is a Jakarta MRT and a high-speed railway between Jakarta and Bandung.

Once completed, the various modes of mass transportation will be integrated.

“The various modes of mass transportation will be integrated, including the MRT, the LRT, the commuter line, the busway, the airport train and the high-speed train,” the president said.

Accelerating construction of mass transportation is deemed important as the President wants the projects completed in time for Jakarta to host the 2018 Asian Games.

He has also instructed his administration to solve all issues related to permits, technicalities and licenses pertaining to spatial planning and problems concerning the overlapping of LRT and overpass construction.

State-owned developer Adhi Karya has been appointed to build LRT two routes in Jakarta. They are the 24-kilometer line connecting Cibubur to Cawang in East Jakarta and the 18-kilometer line connecting Bekasi Timur to Cawang and Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta.