History of the Aceh Train
Train is a very convenient mode of transportation for its users, in big cities rail is an alternative mode of transportation to avoid congestion. Today I would like to discuss a little about the history of Train In Aceh.
Based on some sources I read In the past the Train started the Route from Banda Aceh to Medan. Initially the Aceh Train was built as a means of transporting military equipment from the port of Ulee Lheue to Kutaraja or Banda Aceh.
Aceh Train Development
In 1876 the Ulee Lheue railroad was officially opened to the public at a cost of 540,000 golden. Then in 1982 Train transport in Aceh was still used as a means of transporting military equipment from the port of Ulee Lheue to Kutaradaja - the name of Banda Aceh at the time. The built-in railroads unite the pathway to the Dutch fortress with each other. The Train line continues until Gle Kameng-Indrapuri, but is only able to reach Lambaro for safety reasons.
In 1886 the Path from Kutaraja - Lamnyong was opened, a path leading to Pekan Kr. Cut and military hospital Pante Pirak. The line was used to bring injured and sick people from military posts out of Aceh. Then in 1898 the Train line was extended to Seulimuem for 18 km and utilized for public traffic. Year 1912 Meeting Train line Deli Pangkalan Berandan - Aceh begins. The Langsa - Kuala Simpang Train line is officially opened to the public. In 1916, when the situation in Aceh had begun to be fully controlled by the Dutch, railroad control was no longer under military rule, but it had begun to be handled by the civilian authorities. The 1930 Train in Aceh operates with a departure point from the city of Medan and usually begins in the morning.
After Indonesia became independent, rail transport in Aceh continued to be used. For urban purposes, the Train route is very limited. Just between Kutaraja station and Ulheu Lheu station. The rail runs from the station, through Jalan Diponegoro, across Jalan Merduati, into Lampaseh, past Deah Alue, Deah Baro, then Ulheu Lheu station. At Pasar Aceh, there is a stop, so passengers can go up and down there.
In 1982 Banda Aceh officially no longer had any Train connections. This is because it is unable to compete with road transport facilities that are getting better and more difficult to find parts, in 1998-2004 After 1998, BJ Habibie president then issued political promises to the people of Aceh. One of his promises to revive the railroad. After that promise, in 2002 was made the General Plan of Train Development of Sumatra, which is the result of the agreement of the Governor of Sumatra. In 1998 through the pure APBN funds rebuilt its tracks in the area of Aceh Tamiang. The 32km-long Train construction was carried out until 2004. The project was halted due to the tsunami disaster which was then resumed in 2007. The construction of the 2007-2008 Train continued not from Aceh Tamiang, but from Krueng Mane, North Aceh District to Cunda, City of Lhokseumawe along 28 km. During the 2009 follow-up program, the Ministry of Transportation provided Rp32 billion to build supporting facilities for 2007-2008 projects for operations, such as offices and stations.
Current Train Condition (Pioneer Train)
Since November 2016 the Government of Indonesia is trying to revive the train in Aceh by conducting a Pioneer Train test with a distance of about 20 KM up to 30 KM ie krueng geukuh station to Bungkah station and the last at krueng mane station, I also tried it only with Pay ticket Rp. 1,000 we have been able to feel the transport of this mode of transportation that is currently still used as a means of recreation.
It is hoped that this mode of transportation in the future can continue to be actually used as a mode of transportation to travel, where the hopes of the people of Aceh generally expect this mode of transportation can be used as one of the convenient transportation modes and attractive to the people of Aceh, the people of Aceh hope the making of Trains can be like Formerly the route of Banda Aceh to Medan.
Hopefully this hope will be the dream of Aceh children.