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After fare hike, commuters ask for more from rail operator
Separate service: Women travel on a Bogor-Kota commuter train on Monday
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span class="inline inline-center">Separate service: Women travel on a Bogor-Kota commuter train on Monday. Commuter network operator PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek launched its special women-only train on Oct. 1.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek (KCJ) raised fares by Rp 2,000 (20 US cents) on its air-conditioned commuter trains on Monday. One straphanger, however, said that the state-owned railway company had a long way to go to improve services.
Wina Willy, 28, who commutes from Cilebut Station in Bogor, West Java, to Jakarta, said that the air conditioning in her coach was not working on Monday.
“The fare for commuters has increased but at the same time the air conditioner was broken. All the passengers were sweltering due to the heat. Some young ladies fainted,” Wina said.
Another commuter, Endang Susilowati, said that she had no other choice.
“Even though the regular economy trains are much cheaper, the commuter trains are more frequent and I need to arrive at my workplace on time,” Endang, a nurse, said.
Endang also complained about frequent delays. “It really annoys me when the commuter train arrives late, because that means I have to travel on an overcrowded train.”
Endang said that KCJ should have provided more trains to ensure passenger convenience during rush hour before it increased fares.
KCJ spokesman Makmur Syaheran said that the increase was needed to improve service.
“High operational costs and our plans to add more trains led us to increase fares,” Makmur said.
KCJ previously announced plans to add more trains to increase its daily trips to 539 from 531. Makmur said that the increase would go for some spare parts that were imported for the trains.
Meanwhile, Depok Police chief Sr. Comr. Mulyadi Kaharni said on Monday that he deployed 100 officers to safeguard six stations starting on Sept. 28 to prevent riots and disruptions following increasing protests about the fare hike.
According to Mulyadi, 20 to 30 officers had been deployed to Bojong Gede, Pancoran Mas, Depok Lama, Depok Baru, Pondok Cina and the University of Indonesia (UI) train stations.
The officers, he said, were also deployed to anticipate riots resulting from service delays, which he said might raise tensions as passengers adjusted to the new fares.
KCJ previously charged commuters Rp 5,500 to Rp 7,000 for a single trip, depending on the route.
“We are also anticipating possible commotions caused by delayed trains, as it often leads to commotions,” Mulyadi said. (nad/aml)
