Passengers love, loath commuter trains

Passengers love, loath commuter trains

Poor management and a lack of trains provided by the state-owned
railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) in Greater Jakarta
has failed to meet public demand. Only some 226 passenger cars --
in comparison to the expected 260 trains -- are operating daily
to serve a total of 450,000 commuters. Some commuters complained
about the situation with The Jakarta Post.

Hendi is a small-scale garment businessman in Tanah Abang,
Central Jakarta. The newlywed husband resides in Jombang,
Tangerang, with his wife. He is from Tasikmalaya, West Java and
has been living in Jakarta for more than 10 years:

Of course, commuter trains are far from being comfortable as
passengers are mercilessly crowded into the shabby electric
trains day after day. Diesel-powered trains are much worse than
electric ones.

However, despite the bad conditions, I always pay the fare. I
prefer to pay the state-owned railway company rather than give a
kickback to the train conductors, who take money from passengers
on board.

By doing it that way, the money will benefit the railway
company instead of individual interests. But as the matter
stands, I cannot expect too much for better service on the
trains.

The most important thing to remember is that every passenger
should be responsible for their own safety. Staying alert for
possible crooks is the best way to avoid them I guess.

Diah Astuti, 33, is a civil servant who works in the House of
Representatives building. She resides in Sudimara, Tangerang with
her husband. She has been using commuter trains for four years:

I prefer electric trains as they are more comfortable and
cleaner than the worn out diesel-powered trains. But during rush
hour, there is no real difference between the two as they are
both always overcrowded.

I know the consequences of riding on overcrowded trains. It's
not comfortable and also not safe. As a woman, I have to keep on
my guard for any possible crime on the trains.

But in spite of the poor conditions, I always pay for a
ticket. I used to buy a rail pass.

But sometimes, when I don't have a pass, and I'm in a hurry, I
don't buy a ticket. Instead, I will buy one on board, giving the
money to the train conductors regardless of the fact that the
money will only go into their pocket.

I would feel sorry for the conductors if I didn't pay them. I
know they earn a living that way. Well, it helps them survive.

But sometimes I regret seeing that there are much more
passengers riding for free than those who paid for the tickets.

O'om, 18, is a waitress at a restaurant in Palmerah, West
Jakarta. She has been commuting on trains for more than five
years as she lives in Paja, Rangkasbitung, Banten:

I am so used to taking overcrowded trains that it's hard for
me to remember if they're comfortable.

It's absolutely true that the condition of commuter trains is
disgusting. But what can I do about it? Complaining about it
won't do me any favors, right?

I don't have any choice. If I had my own car or if there was
public transportation going to Jakarta from where I live, I would
definitely use those ways rather than taking the train.

I can stand taking the train because I am just used to its
disgusting condition. The main thing is I can get home fast and
cheaply.

Nasrulah is a traditional trader who has been taking trains
for years. He lives in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, but his
three children and wife live in Jambi, Sumatra:

Getting on a commuter train is not nice at all, especially
during rush hour, as everyone is squished into the cars, and
there is no room to move. This is a great opportunity for
thieves. But I don't have any other choice.

I have to be extra careful, especially on Sundays, as there
are so many pickpockets around then. They usually stand next to
the exits waiting for prey.

There is no hope that commuter trains will get any better as
they have been in the same poor condition for a long time.

-- Leo Wahyudi S