T

he Tanah Abang train station in Central Jakarta was teeming with passengers on Thursday, with dozens queuing to board electric trains and dozens more queuing to get off.

The electric trains (KRL), which began operating across Greater Jakarta in 2011, have become one of the main modes of public transportation for commuters, with people from all walks of life riding the trains each day to and from work.

While the majority of passengers exhibit '€œcivilized'€ behavior, disruptive behavior is on the rise.

Stubborn, abrasive passengers have become a burden not only to other passengers, but also for the guards in charge of managing conflicts on the trains.

One train guard, Ummu Hasanah, said that handling such passengers was difficult, especially during rush hour when the trains were jam-packed.

'€œIt'€™s quite a tough job. During rush hour, the trains are filled with impatient people trying to get to and from their offices. They are often in a bad mood,'€ Ummu told The Jakarta Post.

Ummu, who guards the ladies-only coach, said that some passengers were unwilling to give up their seats to those in need, like seniors or the infirm.

'€œFor example, I often see healthy, young, able-bodied women refusing to give up their seat for elderly or pregnant passengers. I have to ask them three times and tap them on the shoulder before they finally give up their seats. It'€™s quite frustrating,'€ said Ummu, who is 28 years old.

Another train guard, Muhammad Sahruladi, said that '€œuncivilized'€ passengers were more often female than male.

'€œMale passengers are more generous. Most of them give up their seats as soon as they see someone who needs it more than they do. Meanwhile, the young ladies often pretend to sleep or look the other way,'€ Sahruladi said.

In other cases, he added, both male and female passengers were in such a hurry that they boarded before allowing arriving passengers to disembark, creating chaos.

'€œThis happens every day even though doors have clear signs that say '€˜wait for passengers to get off before getting on.'€™ They ignore me even if I yell at them. I'€™m helpless,'€ Sahruladi said.

The 31-year-old added that such behavior was dangerous, because someone could be injured or even suffocate from the jostling for space.

'€œNothing serious has happened during my shift, but I'€™m very worried for the passengers because I'€™m responsible for their safety,'€ Sahruladi said.

Meanwhile, train guard Akbar Nurdin said that many passengers still had a hard time understanding the e-ticketing system, as the KRL was the first public transportation to implement the system in Jakarta.

'€œThe system is still new to most Jakartans, so we have to be patient and teach those who do not yet understand,'€ he said.

Akbar added that maintaining order was most difficult at the Tanah Abang station, which was always crowded with passengers loaded down with goods bought at the Tanah Abang market.

'€œPassengers boarding from Tanah Abang station often fight for seats. They also bring large bags and boxes which are actually not allowed because it creates discomfort for other passengers,'€ Akbar said.

'€œHopefully in time, Jakartans will learn from the guards and be more civilized when using public transportation,'€ he said.

'€” JP/Dewanti A. Wardhani