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tate-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has canceled 28 routes of long-distance trains departing from Gambir, Pasar Senen and Jakarta Kota stations in Jakarta in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Seventeen trains from Gambir Station, nine trains from Pasar Senen Station and two trains from Jakarta Kota Station will not be operating from April 1 to May 1.

“This is our second cancellation for operational region [Daop] 1 Jakarta. We have enacted this policy as an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus,” KAI Daop 1 Jakarta spokesperson Eva Chairunisa said in a written statement on Sunday, adding that the policy was in accordance with the government’s appeal for the general public to stay at home.

KAI closed four routes connecting Malang in East Java and Jakarta on Wednesday, as well as three connecting Surabaya in East Java and Jakarta from March 26 to 31.

It has closed six additional routes connecting Jakarta and Surabaya, one route to Malang in East Java, three routes to Semarang in Central Java, one route to Tegal in Central Java, four routes to Cirebon in West Java, five routes to Bandung in West Java, six routes to Yogyakarta and two routes to Kutoarjo in Central Java.

The trains affected by the policy in Gambir Station are KA Argo Wilis, KA Turangga, KA Sembrani, KA Mutiara Selatan (Surabaya), KA Malabar (Malang), KA Argo Muria (Semarang), KA Argo Cheribon (Cirebon and Tegal), KA Argo Parahyangan (Bandung) and KA Taksaka (Yogyakarta).

Meanwhile, the trains affected in Pasar Senen Station are KA Gaya Baru Malam, KA Gumarang (Surabaya), KA Tawang Jaya (Semarang), KA Bogowonto, KA Gajahwong, KA Fajar Utama, KA Senja Utama (Yogyakarta) and KA Sawunggaling (Kutoarjo).

The Jakarta Kota Station has only two trains affected, namely KA Menoreh (Semarang) and KA Kutojaya Utara YK (Yogyakarta).

Besides the reduction of trips, KAI said that physical distancing measures would also be implemented on trains.

“Our passenger capacity has been reduced by 70 percent,” Eva said.

Passengers who have already purchased a ticket for a trip within the cancellation period will receive a full refund.

“We won’t reschedule their trips. Passengers can purchase a new ticket for the next available schedule,” she said.

KAI advises passengers to cancel the tickets online through the KAI Access application. Cancelations can also be done at Gambir, Pasar Senen, Jakarta Kota, Cikampek, Bekasi, Rangkasbitung, Serang and Bogor Paledang stations. (aly)