"First Come, First Served?": Who Are Priority Seats on KRL Actually For?

Priority seats on the commuter rail (KRL) are designed as safe spaces for vulnerable groups. By regulation, these seats are intended for the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, ill passengers, and parents with toddlers. However, reality often differs. Amid the dense daily mobility on the KRL, the rules frequently clash with on-the-ground conditions. Observations on the Manggarai-Jakarta Kota route show that of the dozens of available priority seats, most are occupied by general passengers. Interactions among passengers are minimal. Many are focused on their phones or resting, so the presence of priority passengers often goes unnoticed. In such situations, an “unwritten rule” emerges: first come, first served. Abdul Pratama (27), one of the passengers, acknowledges this. “If I’m really tired, the seats on the train feel like general seats,” he said. Suyatno (67), an elderly person who regularly uses the KRL for trading, admits he often has to stand in the middle of a full train. “If it’s crowded, I have no choice but to stand. Even though my legs can’t take it anymore,” he said. He often sees priority seats occupied by young passengers but chooses not to confront them. He still feels the risk; he once nearly fell when the train moved. Hami (29), who is seven months pregnant, faces a similar situation. Even with her pregnant woman pin, she does not always get a seat.