Free WiFi and Books Accompany Passengers at Pasar Senen Station
Free WiFi is available to passengers, with approximately 1,080 seats provided throughout the station. Electrical outlets are installed across three corners in the external areas, totalling around 30 sockets, according to Pedri Setiawan, Deputy Head of Pasar Senen Station, during an interview in Jakarta on Monday.
The station also features massage chairs in the main northern waiting room and within the hall before the boarding area, with two chairs available in each location.
A total of 24,000 books are being distributed for free. At Senen Station specifically, 2,600 books are being given away today and tomorrow between 09:00 and 15:00 local time.
The free book initiative is part of the “Mudik Asyik Baca Buku 2026” (Enjoyable Exodus Reading Programme 2026) launched by the Language Development and Fostering Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikdasmen).
Hafidz Muksin, Head of the Language Agency at the Ministry of Education and Culture, stated that the programme is also being conducted at eight other locations, including Gambir Station, Kalideres Terminal, Kampung Rambutan Terminal, Pulo Gebang Terminal, Pakupatan Serang Terminal, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Tanjung Priok Port, and Merak Port.
Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti expressed hopes that the number of books distributed next year could reach 42,000. He stated that the “Mudik Asyik Baca Buku 2026” programme forms part of the government’s effort to foster and enhance reading culture, particularly with quality publications, with children’s books being a major focus.
“This also aligns with our effort to ensure our children hold books more than they hold gadgets, as currently there is a trend of children becoming more familiar with digital devices,” Mu’ti said.
The ministry is therefore working to present printed books that are more portable and varied in selection. Mu’ti hopes that early literacy initiatives will cultivate a generation that is intelligent and of high quality.
Pasar Senen Station remained busy with homebound travellers today. PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta recorded 23,259 railway passengers departing, whilst approximately 9,405 passengers arrived.
Total passenger departures from all stations within the Jakarta Daop 1 region, including Pasar Senen, Gambir, Bekasi, Cikampek, Cikarang, Jatinegara, and Karawang, reached 51,584 people by midday, with 23,939 passengers arriving.
Departure and arrival volumes today were lower compared to the previous day, which saw 52,008 departures and 26,935 arrivals.