The state railway company hopes that adding more trains to its aging fleet and taking strict measures against roof riders will put an end to the sight of passengers perched precariously on speeding vehicles.

During an impromptu visit to Tanah Abang Train Station in Central Jakarta, Transportation Minister Hatta Radjasa said PT KAI would import 160 electric cars -- expected to arrive this year -- and build more tracks to serve commuters from surrounding areas.

Additional track would be built from Rangkas Bitung in Banten province to Kota in West Jakarta, which is estimated to finish at the end of the year, and from Bekasi in West Java to Jakarta, scheduled for completion in 2009.

"Additional cars alone cannot solve the problem. We have to build new tracks to support the current railways," Hatta said.

The ministry has allocated Rp 400 billion (about US$430 million) from the 2006 state budget for the construction.

At present, there are 65 trains serving nearly 500,000 commuters every day. Most of the trains have been in service 25 years and are poorly maintained.

His visit followed back-to-back accidents on Friday and Saturday, including two fatalities, involving passengers riding on the roof.

Railway company director Ronny Wahyudi, who accompanied Hatta, said he instructed officials at train stations to punish roof riders, including imposing a Rp 1 million ($108) fine.

Passenger numbers on trains -- with an economy class fare of Rp 1,500 -- have swelled since last year's fuel hikes and the attendant increases in bus fares.

Hatta also asked the opinion of passengers about the company's services, and met a man who was one of at least 46 people injured when the roof of an overcrowded train caved in Friday.

"We beg you to consider the safety of the poor," said Sukirno as he showed the minister his injured hand.

Another passenger said she had been riding trains since she was a fifth grader and had long heard about the plan for an additional Rangkas Bitung-Kota track.

"The plan never materializes," said the mother of two. (04)