3 Concerns Raised by Residents Regarding Depok Baru Station

Depok Baru commuter rail (KRL) station has come under scrutiny for being deemed inaccessible to persons with disabilities and the elderly. Residents have called for additional facilities at the station to improve passenger comfort.

One resident noted that platform transfer access at Depok Baru Station remains unfriendly for persons with disabilities and the elderly. The only means for passengers to switch platforms is through an underpass accessed via dozens of steps.

Aulia, 25, said the conditions are particularly difficult during peak hours.

“It’s completely inaccessible for people with disabilities. Even for able-bodied people, during the evening rush hour it’s extremely crowded going up and down the stairs. One side of the staircase is as narrow as a household staircase, so it’s very stuffy. And the elderly, people with disabilities, and those using crutches all have to use these same stairs,” Aulia told reporters on Sunday (22/2/2026).

Hopes for Lift Facilities

Residents are hoping for lift facilities to ease access, particularly for vulnerable groups. According to Aulia, lifts would assist passengers with physical limitations when transferring between platforms.

Aulia said her relatives now choose to alight at other stations due to the access difficulties.

“There really should be a lift. I once met a visually impaired person who needed to get to the terminal and had to use the stairs — it was heartbreaking. My uncle can no longer alight at Depok Baru Station because there’s no proper access. He has a kidney condition and gets breathless quickly, so now he gets off at Pondok Cina or UI stations instead. But most of the time, he just avoids taking the commuter rail altogether,” Aulia told reporters.

According to her, the wheelchairs available on the platform cannot be used effectively because there is no adequate access for transferring between platforms.

Another resident, Tania, 22, raised similar concerns. She believes lifts are needed to assist passengers.

“It’s not friendly for people with disabilities or the elderly. There are no lifts for platform transfers. They have wheelchairs available, but they’re essentially unusable,” she said.

Proposal for an Overhead Rail Crossing

In addition to lifts, residents have also proposed an overhead crossing above the tracks as an alternative. The proposal is seen as a potential solution to improve passenger mobility.

“At the very least, if there’s no budget for lifts or escalators, build an overhead crossing above the tracks. If that solution can’t be implemented due to safety risks, then think about the risks passengers face as well,” said Aulia.

She argued that additional facilities are needed to ensure more equitable access for all passengers.

Underpass Conditions Deemed Too Narrow

Beyond limited access, residents also highlighted the narrow conditions of the underpass. These conditions are said to hinder passenger movement, especially during busy periods.

Tania said certain passengers have to take lengthy detours to avoid the stairs.

“The staircase going down from the Bogor-bound platform is narrow. So people heading towards the terminal who can’t manage the stairs have to go the long way round through the market — they get off at the Bogor platform and walk all the way around the market,” she said.