Illegal levies at Gambir station

Illegal levies at Gambir station

From Trust

Every weekend I catch the Parahyangan train to Bandung from
Jakarta's Gambir station. I get the impression that management of
the station -- particularly that dealing with executive and
business classes -- has become increasingly messy.

Apart from the ticket scalpers doing business at the station,
would-be passengers also pay illegal fees imposed by plainclothes
officials. For instance, one must pay double the amount for
parking (the normal fee is Rp 1,000 per hour); money must also be
paid to unauthorized people in the parking area.

One must than pay Rp 1,500 to gain entry to one of the railway
platforms without receiving a ticket or receipt. The official fee
is Rp 500.

Scalpers are free to offer tickets to potential passengers and
operate right in front of ticket windows. I should think twice
before traveling by train if such a messy and uncomfortable
condition prevails at the station.

SIDHARTA
Depok, West Java