INKA Ltd was established in 1981 to serve as the national raillocomotive and rolling stock manufacturer for the Indonesian Railway Company in its revenue lines in the islands of Java and Sumatra on the basis of the IRC's Madiun Locomotive Plant, which, from being one of the oldest steam locomotive factories in the Asia-Pacific, was transformed into the basis of a national rail production industry. The business activity of PT Industri Kereta Api Indonesia, or Inka Limited, is transitioning to the higher value-added products and services in the railway and transportation businesses. The mission on business and technology competitiveness in railway and transportation products is focused on dominating the domestic market and to win competition in the ASEAN region and developing countries. High demand intercity railways are increasing in the high-density regions in the archipelago countries. New passenger coaches were introduced to capture the niche market with a high quality of services. In the beginning, value migration was created to absorb middle-class passenger mobility. The next step of development is preparing to adapt the newest technologies for diesel electric railcars on the medium distance railway corridors. These new technologies are upgraded from the development of commuter electric railcars, using lightweight stainless steel car bodies and modern AC traction control with IGBTVVVF inverters. Based on the company's experiences in commuter services, the modern electric railcar will soon be developed into a more reliable design for future mass rapid transit. In the developing countries, railways are expected to be a backbone of overland transportation. The large-scale mining and industry commodities are more effectively carried by bulk rail wagons. Various designs of freight wagon can adapt the special demands of handling and higher capacities, such as an 18-ton axle load in coal and pulp transport. On the other hand, the modern container flat wagon is designed for speeds up to 100 km/h and lighter-weight requirements. The new railway line and double track projects in developing countries are increasing to cope with the potential demands of goods transport as well as to improve line capacity. High-quality hopper wagons and multi-purpose track maintenance cars are usually required in smaller lots. A new approach on mutual collaboration with railway consultants and civil contractors will result in efficient turnkey projects, especially for plantation and mining areas. In 2019 PT INKA cooperated with PT Len Industri, PT Wijaya Karya and PT Kereta Api Indonesia to collaborate on business development by forming a consortium of Indonesian Railways Development Incorporated for Africa for expansion the global railway market in the Asia Pacific region and in particular is targeting African countries. In addition, INKA Ltd has, together with KAI, established cooperation with Swiss rolling stock manufacture, Stadler Rail established a joint venture to build a rolling stock factory in Banyuwangi, East Java. This cooperation will assist the government in developing the railway transportation system in the country and to increase competitiveness and expansion of global markets.
Products
Without much publicity, PT Inka has been producing a variety of locomotives, trainsets, railcars and multiple units. Many of them are made in cooperation with other companies. Some products even have been exported to foreign countries. With stiff competition between rail and air transportation in recent years, PT Inka is facing an increasingly tough domestic market.
1982 – First production boxcar
1985 – First production of passenger coaches
1987 – First electric railcar assembly & product diversification
2004 – Export container wagon body & blizzard center sills to Australia
2006 – 50 units BG vehicle exports to Bangladesh
2007 – Contract signed for a trainset DEMU for Aceh and railbus to Palembang.
2008 – Launch of first Indonesian DMU
2010 – Production of economy class train and 20 units of GE C20EMPs
2011 – Production of "Bathara Kresna" railbus
2014 – Launched the grand new economy class trains for "Jayabaya" and "Joko Tingkir" train.
2016 – Production of the new generation of executive and economy class and export 150 BG and MG vehicles to Bangladesh
2018 – Production and operation of electric rolling stock unit for LRT Palembang. This electric train model do not employ overhead pantographs but uses third rail to deliver electric power instead. The improved model was produced in 2019 for LRT Jabodebek.
2020 – Export 4-four car sets diesel multiple unit and 3 DHLs to the Philippines
In addition, PT Inka is also pioneering the production of a national railcar called GEA and a prototype was created in 2008. In 2009, GEA began using the machinery developed by BPPT, Rusnas, after previously using Chinese machinery. Carburetors are the only imported component in the 2009 prototype. PT Inka also supplied compressed natural gas-powered buses for TransJakarta, mainly known as the name brand Inobus. Currently, there are three known product variants:
Inobus ATC 320 with Cummins Westport ISL-G 320 HP CNG engine, mated with Voith DIWA 864.3E automatic transmission.
39 units were operated in total, with 21 units operated by Perum DAMRI from 2011 to 2018 and 18 units operated by PT. Bianglala Metropolitan from 2013 to 2016. The main difference between the two is DAMRI operated units used Songz Air Conditioning whilst Bianglala operated units used Denso Air Conditioning.
Inobus SGL 290 with Doosan GL11K 290 HP CNG Engine, the same engine used in current Zhongtong buses, mated with Allison Transmission T350R automatic. A total of 36 units, should have been operated by Perum PPD.
Future fleet: Inobus ATC 340 with Doosan GL11K 340 HP Euro IV CNG Engine, the same engine used in current Zhongtong buses bus, mated with Voith DIWA 864.5 automatic transmission.
