Cut Meutia (train): Difference between revisions

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==History==

Railways had been operational in Aceh since the [[Dutch East Indies]] era, linking [[Banda Aceh]] to [[Langkat]] in [[North Sumatra]]. The line ceased operations in 1982, however, leaving Aceh without operational train services and existing stations and railways deteriorating. In 1996, an attempt to develop tracks between Langkat and Aceh's provincial border ceased due to funding difficulties after laying 2 kilometers of track. Another section measuring 5 kilometers were developed in 2000, but again development ceased due to lack of funds.<ref name="dishub"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Pembangunan Rel KA Langkat-Banda Aceh Dihentikan |url=https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/41404/pembangunan-rel-ka-langkat-banda-aceh-dihentikan |access-date=23 February 2023 |work=liputan6.com |date=14 September 2002 |language=id |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223041323/https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/41404/pembangunan-rel-ka-langkat-banda-aceh-dihentikan |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2002, an agreement was struck between governors in Sumatra to redevelop a Trans-Sumatran railway network, which would once more link Aceh to other cities in the island.<ref name="dishub">{{cite web |title=Kereta Api Aceh Dulu dan Kini |url=https://dishub.acehprov.go.id/informasi/kereta-api-aceh-dulu-dan-kini/ |publisher=Aceh Department of Transport |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=id |date=24 May 2022 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223043549/https://dishub.acehprov.go.id/informasi/kereta-api-aceh-dulu-dan-kini/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 earthquake and tsunami]], reconstruction aid from France was delivered through [[SNCF]]; this included the development of an {{convert|11.35|km|mi}} stretch of railway track which followed the [[Standard-gauge railway|1,435 mm standard gauge]] instead of the [[3 ft 6 in gauge railways|1,067 mm gauge]] used elsewhere in Indonesia.<ref name="dishub"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Dubes Perancis : Kerjasama Aceh-Perancis Perlu ditingkatkan |url=https://acehprov.go.id/berita/kategori/ekonomi/dubes-perancis-kerjasama-aceh-perancis-perlu-ditingkatkan |publisher=Aceh Provincial Government |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=id |date=28 November 2014 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223043541/https://acehprov.go.id/berita/kategori/ekonomi/dubes-perancis-kerjasama-aceh-perancis-perlu-ditingkatkan |url-status=live }}</ref> Trial runs began on 1 December 2013, with tracks from {{ill|Krueng Mane railway station|lt=Krueng Mane|id|Stasiun Krueng Mane}} near [[Bireuën]] to [[Krueng Geukueh railway station|Krueng Geukueh]] near [[Lhokseumawe]] via [[Bungkaih railway station|Bungkaih]]. Due to lack of passenger demand, the trial was halted by July 2014.<ref name="dishub"/><ref name="red">{{cite news |title=KA Perintis Cut Meutia Akan Berhenti Beroperasi Sementara |url=https://redigest.web.id/2018/10/ka-perintis-cut-meutia-akan-berhenti-beroperasi-sementara/#.Y_buNHZBxPY |access-date=23 February 2023 |work=REDigest |date=18 October 2018 |language=id |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223044311/https://redigest.web.id/2018/10/ka-perintis-cut-meutia-akan-berhenti-beroperasi-sementara/#.Y_buNHZBxPY |url-status=live }}</ref>

 

===Future extensions===

Development is underway on a {{convert|10.1|km|mi}} extension of the service to the completed stations of [[Kutablang railway station|Kutablang]] and [[Geurugok railway station|Geurugok]] in [[Bireuën Regency]]. Another {{convert|8|km|mi}} extension to [[Paloh railway station, Indonesia|Paloh]] is in its planning stage.<ref name="dishub"/> In context of the development of the full Trans-Sumatra system, the 1,435 mm track is planned to meet the national 1,067 mm track at Kutablang, and the planned development of the 1,435 mm railway will be limited to the Kutablang - Lhokseumawe route separate from the main line.<ref>{{cite news |title=Berbeda Gauge, Bagaimana Jalur Trans Sumatera di Aceh Nantinya? |url=https://redigest.web.id/2018/10/berbeda-gauge-bagaimana-jalur-trans-sumatera-di-aceh-nantinya/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |work=REDigest |date=6 October 2018 |language=id |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223051102/https://redigest.web.id/2018/10/berbeda-gauge-bagaimana-jalur-trans-sumatera-di-aceh-nantinya/ |url-status=live }}</ref>