Crowd on Jakarta Railway Tracks Delays Nine KRL Services

A crowd gathered near the railway tracks at level crossing JPL 41, on the Tanah Abang–Palmerah line in Jakarta, disrupting Commuter Line Rangkasbitung services on Thursday evening (27/8). KAI Commuter recorded that nine KRL journeys were delayed by up to 52 minutes. The crowd was made up of people dispersing after holding a demonstration in front of the House of Representatives building.

KAI Commuter Public Relations Manager Leza Arlan said that, as a result of the crowd, Commuter Line Rangkasbitung services bound for Tanah Abang could only travel as far as Palmerah station before returning to Rangkasbitung. Meanwhile, services travelling in the opposite direction, bound for Rangkasbitung, were held at Tanah Abang station while waiting for conditions to be declared safe.

At 19.50 WIB, 19.54 WIB and 20.43 WIB, Commuter Line services in both directions were briefly allowed to operate under staff supervision and at limited speed. However, from 20.30 WIB and 21.20 WIB until 22.30 WIB, Commuter Line services to and from Rangkasbitung were halted.

“Commuter Line services from Rangkasbitung could only travel as far as Palmerah station, while Commuter Line trains at Tanah Abang station were still being held while waiting for the line to be safe,” Leza said in a written statement.

KAI Commuter said it prioritises the safety and security of passengers travelling to their destination stations. “We therefore ask all passengers to remain careful and always follow instructions from staff, both at stations and on board the Commuter Line,” Leza said.

As a result of the crowd between Tanah Abang and Palmerah stations, nine Commuter Line journeys were delayed by between 16 and 52 minutes. In addition, operational patterns were adjusted for 16 journeys.

“KAI Commuter advises all passengers heading towards Serpong and Rangkasbitung to travel directly to Palmerah station or Kebayoran station,” he said.