The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) once again presents innovation in its public transportation system by adopting Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) technology, or better known as the trackless train. This revolutionary public transportation system offers an efficient, flexible, and environmentally friendly urban mobility solution, becoming a unique attraction for the development of IKN as a city of the future.
According to a statement from the IKN Transportation Agency delivered on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the IKN transportation innovation center, the implementation of the trackless train is part of the integrated public transportation development masterplan in IKN. The initial phase of this project involves the procurement of five ART units with a capacity of approximately 300 passengers each. The inaugural route connects the central government area with major residential and commercial areas in the western zone of IKN, with a virtual track guided by sensors and advanced navigation systems.
Ir. Budi Santoso, Head of the IKN Transportation Agency, explained at a press conference held at 2:00 PM Central Indonesian Time that the main advantage of this trackless train is its flexibility in infrastructure development. Without the need for physical rails like conventional trains, ART operates on dedicated lanes marked digitally, significantly reducing construction costs and time. Operational trials involving a team of experts from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) have been conducted since early February 2025 to ensure the safety and efficiency of the system.
Furthermore, a report from the IKN Police Traffic Unit on Friday, March 14, 2025, noted that socialization regarding this new public transportation system has been actively carried out to the public and project workers. Officer Bripka Andi Wijaya urged the public to understand the ART’s operational routes and comply with existing traffic signs. The payment system for the trackless train service will be integrated with the IKN public transportation application, allowing passengers to make non-cash payments. The government targets this system to be fully operational by the end of 2025, supporting sustainable mobility in the new capital city.