Train ticket scalpers on the loose

Indah Setiawati , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 08/26/2008 10:31 AM | City

Jakarta's railway operator has ceased providing monetary rewards for those reporting ticket scalpers due to lax prosecution of arrested suspects.

"It's no use. Seven ticket scalpers were arrested last year and brought to the police. They went back to wandering the city's train stations the very next day," Akhmad Sujadi, spokesman for the state railway operator PT Kereta Api's (KA) Jakarta office told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Abubakar Nataprawira said the police were serious about cracking down on ticket scalping, which has traditionally caused ticket prices to rise during the peak travel season, particularly during Idul Fitri, the most important Muslim holiday. This year, Idul Fitri falls on Oct. 1.

Police are ready to enforce authorized ticket sales ahead of the holiday, Abubakar added. During Idul Fitri, the majority of Indonesia's Muslims travel to be with family members.

"We are ready as soon as PT KA asks us to enforce ticket sales," he said.

According to the 2007 Railway Law, scalpers face up to six months in prison, KA's Akhmad said.

"The law should be fully enforced to stop ticket scalpers," he said, adding PT KA relies on the cooperation of train passengers to help stop scalpers.

"Please don't buy scalped tickets. If nobody buys their tickets, scalpers will eventually stop selling them," Akhmad said.

PT KA now provides a hotline for ordering tickets, including during the Idul Fitri holiday, he added. Passengers can dial (021) 23507000, through fixed lines, or 13897 from cellular phones.

"Passengers can request information on available seats for a particular train. They will also receive a booking code and can purchase tickets through Bank Mandiri ATMs and change tickets at train stations with a receipt," he added.

Starting Tuesday, PT KA will open eight additional ticket windows at Gambir train station in Central Jakarta, to provide more access to passengers.

The operator will also be putting 11 additional trains into service to better serve the holiday crowds, applying roof prices for business and executive trains.

"For example, tickets for Argo Lawu and Argo Dwipangga along the Jakarta-Solo route will range from Rp 220,000 (US$23) to 400,000, while Argo Bromo and Argo Anggrek along the Jakarta-Surabaya route will range from Rp 230,000 to Rp 450,000," Akhmad said.