In the midst of the packed KRL carriages during rush hour, priority\nseats often become a small space laden with a big issue: who is most\nentitled to sit there.<\/p>\n
By regulation, priority seats are intended for the elderly, pregnant\nwomen, people with disabilities, and passengers with certain health\nconditions. However, in practice, the boundary between \u201cthose entitled\u201d\nand \u201cthose in need\u201d is often blurred.<\/p>\n
Thalib (55), a resident of Jatinegara, East Jakarta, has keenly felt\nhow priority seats do not always favour those in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often (don\u2019t get priority seats on the KRL). I board, see the\npriority seats are full. But the people sitting look healthy. I stand\nholding the pole, even though my chest feels heavy,\u201d said Thalib when\ncontacted by Kompas.com on Thursday (9\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He once tried directly asking for a priority seat occupied by a\nnon-priority passenger. However, the response he received made him\nreluctant to repeat it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI once asked politely, but they looked me up and down, then said\n\u2018Sir, you can still stand strong\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That experience led him to take an unusual step, carrying a doctor\u2019s\ncertificate every time he travels.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I carry a letter from the hospital. Once I showed it, the person\nstood up. But it feels sad, doesn\u2019t it? Why do I have to prove it first\nto get it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Thalib said that if he stands for too long, it can trigger a\ndangerous condition for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I stand too long, my chest can feel tight. The doctor said I must\navoid fatigue. But on the KRL, it\u2019s hard,\u201d said Thalib.<\/p>\n
A similar experience was faced by Elsa (29), a resident of Depok,\nWest Java, who was met by Kompas.com at Manggarai Station on\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Her young age actually makes her condition often ignored. In fact,\nshe has a history of heart problems.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/for-priority-seats-on-krl-the-invisible-need-must-prove-with-a-doctors-note-1775814661", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }