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s the railway with the shortest operating track in the capital city, LRT Jakarta has seen declining numbers of passengers since its commercial debut in December. Now, operators are aiming to increase ridership though track expansions and passenger promotions.

The LRT’s stations, strung along 5.8 kilometers of track from Rawamangun in East Jakarta to Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta, were quiet on Thursday afternoon. Even during rush hour, the trains were not full.

Data from city-owned operator PT LRT Jakarta showed that as of Dec. 17, the train service had recorded a total of 74,187 passengers, an average of 4,364 passengers per day since its opening.

The company reported that ridership had steadily declined after the LRT’s commercial debut on Dec. 1. Passengers pay a flat fare of Rp 5,000 (37 US cents).

In the first week of December, 31,433 passengers rode the LRT. That number slipped to 29,673 passengers in the second week and 13,081 in the third week of the month.

Ridership suffered a roughly 40 percent decline after the LRT free-trial period ended, which ran from June 11 to Nov. 30.

LRT Jakarta had booked more than 1 million passengers as of October — during the trial period — with an average of 6,528 passengers per day.

Ridership was still a far cry from the initial target of 14,000 passengers per day.

“We will try our best to reach the 14,000 [target]. Please help to promote us. Even though [LRT Jakarta] is only 5.8 kilometers, we are optimistic,” said LRT Jakarta president director Wijanarko last month as quoted by tempo.co.

In order to reach the figure, he said, the company would cooperate and integrate with other modes of transportation such as Transjakarta and angkot (public minivan) services under the city’s Jak Lingko fare program.

LRT ridership had climbed to over 5,293 daily passengers on Dec. 31. However, it dropped to between 3,600 and 4,400 following massive flooding on Jan. 1.

LRT Jakarta corporate secretary Arnold Kindangen said the implementation of the full fare was not the only cause of the decline.

“We are still monitoring the reasons for the ridership decrease post flood, as we have received information that Transjakarta has also suffered decreasing ridership after the flood,” he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Some Transjakarta bus routes were disrupted during the massive flooding, which inundated many parts of the city.

LRT Jakarta relies on city-owned BRT service Transjakarta to connect its passengers to other parts of the city. Two of its six stations are located near two main Transjakarta bus routes.

Velodrome Station is directly connected to the Pemuda Rawamangun Transjakarta bus serving corridor 4 routes connecting Pulogadung in East Jakarta to Tosari in Central Jakarta. Pulomas Station is located near the Pulomas Transjakarta bus stop connecting Pulogadung in East Jakarta to Harmoni in Central Jakarta.

Arnold said the company would keep promoting its services through education and campaigning and would hold themed events in stations to attract potential passengers.

“We are also expecting phase two to start soon. It will automatically increase our ridership with longer distances and a wider coverage area,” Arnold said.

City-owned developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), tasked to develop LRT Jakarta, will oversee the second phase of construction, which will consist of two new routes.

Phase 2A will add 7.5 km of track from Kelapa Gading to Sunter Agung in North Jakarta. It aims to connect passengers to Jakarta International Stadium, known as BMW Stadium. The project is expected to be completed in 2022.

Phase 2B will be 6 km long and connect Velodrome Station to Manggarai, South Jakarta. Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and to finish in 2024.

In addition, the company plans to improve passenger facilities with retailers in the stations, among other additions. LRT Jakarta is preparing spaces for 51 retail points in its six stations, Arnold added.

Despite its challenges, the light rail service has started to attract some local residents.

Frans, 42, who lives in Pulogebang, East Jakarta, said that he enjoyed taking the LRT from his house to a Transjakarta bus stop to reach his office in Bekasi, West Java, in addition to other parts of the city.

“It is quite comfortable, although officers [aboard LRT trains] need to be more strict if they see if other passengers are not disciplined enough,” Frans said on Thursday, adding that he sometimes saw other passengers eating or drinking on the train, which is prohibited.

He suggested that the city add more connections to LRT Jakarta, not only to the Transjakarta service but to local destinations such as malls to boost ridership.

Aufi Azzahra, 18, said the LRT was one of her main transportation options. The resident of Pulo Gadung in East Jakarta said she usually used the service to go to Kelapa Gading mall in North Jakarta to hang out with her friends.

“LRT Jakarta is quite convenient and efficient. It’s cheaper than online motorcycle taxis too,” she said.