JAKARTA, Indonesia and France have agreed to jointly develop a light rail transit (LRT) system in Greater Bandung, West Java, as part of a wider effort to deepen bilateral cooperation in the transportation sector.
The agreement was announced by Indonesia’s Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi following a meeting with his French counterpart, Philippe Tabarot, in Paris. The meeting coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“This collaboration includes knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and direct involvement of companies from both nations,” Dudy said in a statement on Friday.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi (right) and French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot (left) agree to strengthen transport cooperation, including the development of an LRT project in Bandung, West Java. The agreement was announced on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
The partnership follows recent high-level visits, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Jakarta in May and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s attendance at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris on July 14.
The Greater Bandung LRT project aims to connect key areas in Bandung with the Whoosh high-speed rail station in Tegalluar. It is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve intermodal connectivity.
According to the West Java Transportation Agency, the initial phase will focus on two key corridors: Tegalluar–Leuwipanjang and Leuwipanjang–Babakan Siliwangi. The estimated development cost stands at Rp 26 trillion (around $1.6 billion), which includes supporting infrastructure. Construction is slated to begin in 2027.
“This project represents a concrete step towards building a modern and sustainable public transport network. The LRT will greatly improve urban mobility in Bandung,” said Dudy.
In addition to the LRT initiative, both countries have also committed to expanding cooperation in maritime and aviation sectors—covering areas such as port operations, shipping safety, and aviation technology.
A joint working group will be established to develop an action plan and identify priority projects across the agreed areas.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot welcomed the collaboration, calling Indonesia a strategic partner and describing the Bandung LRT as a foundation for broader, long-term cooperation.
