W

omen traveling by train on the Yogyakarta-Surakarta route can now enjoy their own exclusive car prepared for them by state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api in an attempt to protect women from sexual harassment.

Officially launched on Sunday afternoon by Queen of Yogyakarta Palace GKR Hemas, the car is attached to the Prambanan Ekspres (Prameks) train plying the Yogyakarta-Surakarta route.

“I feel more comfortable now with this special car,” said electronics store worker Sherly from Surakarta after riding in the special car for the first time.

She said that before the car had been introduced she had felt uncomfortable riding on the train because she was worried that she might be harassed.

“Now I can just fall asleep comfortably and really enjoy a rest on the train,” Sherly said.

Another regular user of the train, Ina, also welcomed the special car but said that she might still choose the regular one as she usually travelled with her daughter and son.

“I just don’t want to leave my teenage son in a separate car,” she said.

PT KA’s Regional Operation VI Yogyakarta public relations head Eko Budiyanto said the special car had been provided in response to a recent public outcry to prevent sexual harassment in public places.

The front car of the five-car Prameks train is designated for women, Eko said.

“Those who want to travel with their family are happy to choose the regular cars,” Eko said.

He said tickets for the women-only car cost the same as standard car tickets. The special car can be identified by its unique color and a sign.

PT KA regional operation VI executive vice president Noor Hamidi said the Prameks train had been a crucial transportation service in the region since it was introduced in 1994, in particular because of its speed compared to other modes of transportation.

“A bus or car for example would take two hours to travel between Yogyakarta and Surakarta,” Noor said.

“Prameks takes less than an hour. We are trying to make it 45 minutes now because the track is good.”

Prameks initially ran three services a day, but that number has been increased to 10 times a day due to the overwhelming popularity of the service.

In 2008 a second Prameks train was introduced to ply the Yogyakarta-Kutoarjo route in Central Java four times a day.

Speaking at the launch ceremony for the women-only car, GKR Hemas said the new car was not intended to discriminate against women or label women as a weak community group.

Women, she said, were often victims of sexual harassment on public transportation.

“This is PT KA’s responsibility and commitment to provide female passengers with excellent services,” said GKR Hemas, who is also the wife of Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.