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akarta’s motorists can soon expect even worse rush-hour traffic congestion as trials for the new circle-line commuter-train routing system, with shorter headway between trains, will start next month prior to full implementation in December.

Makmur Syaheran, spokesman for PT Kereta Commuter Jabodetabek (KCJ), said the new route system was expected to cut headway between trains to around eight minutes, from the previous 10.

“This means that railway-crossing closings will happen more frequently, especially during peak hours,” Makmur told reporters on Thursday.

According to KCJ data, there are a total of 24 railway crossings in Jakarta and 85 crossings in Greater Jakarta, which includes the capital and surrounding cities of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.

“Railway crossing could be closed every three or four minutes during rush hours on roads that intersect with busy routes,” Makmur said.

KCJ, he said, had requested help from the Presidential Work Unit for Development Control and Monitoring (UKP4) and relevant ministries to help solve problems relating to railway crossings in Greater Jakarta.

The Jakarta administration has plans to construct underpasses or flyovers on railway crossings. The city, however, said that it could only construct up to three underpasses or flyovers each year.

Earlier, the Public Works Ministry said it was studying the possibility of building flyovers or underpasses for a number of crossings across Jakarta to help improve train headway.

The ministry said they were working on seven railway crossings, including those on Jl. Sulawesi, Jl. Jampea and Jl. R.E. Martadinata in North Jakarta, Jl. Latumeten in West Jakarta and Jl. Sudimara in South Tangerang, Banten.

Later on Thursday, Jakarta Transportation Agency head Udar Pristono said: “We can only suggest road users avoid busy railway crossings during rush hour, or better yet, use public transportation.”

Under the new system, commuter-train routes will be reduced from 37 to only six by December. Last July, KCJ dropped its express train service, with all trains now stopping at every station to cater for more passengers.

It is hoped that the route changes will reduce passenger waiting-time and avoid crossings between trains on different routes in the commuter rail network of Greater Jakarta.

Stops along the first route include Bogor, Manggarai, Tanah Abang, Duri, Jakarta Kota and Jatinegara, East Jakarta. The second route also goes through Bogor, Manggarai and Kota.

The third service will ply the Parung, Panjang, Serpong and Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta route. The fourth route will be from Tangerang to Duri. The fifth from Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta to Jakarta Kota with the sixth connecting Bekasi, Jatinegara, Manggarai and Jakarta Kota.

KCJ will add a total of 130 more cars to its fleet by the end of the year. The current number of trains in operation is 386, serving more than 400,000 people each day.