Post-Lebaran, Depok-Jakarta Commuter Train Returns to 2-Hour Routine on the Road

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The sound of train announcements echoes at Manggarai Station, mingling with the hurried footsteps of passengers racing against time. Carriage doors open and close swiftly, offering no respite for anyone running late. A few days after the Lebaran holiday ends, weary faces once again fill the platforms. Backpacks, work attire, and blank stares become familiar sights, signalling the resumption of the long routine. If Jakarta previously felt empty, with faster journeys and more spacious movement, the situation has now reversed dramatically. The city has become crowded again in a short time. For commuters from Depok, Bogor, to East Jakarta, returning to work is not just about entering the office. It is about resuming the rhythm of lengthy journeys, round trips that can consume up to two hours each day. The comfort experienced during Lebaran is now merely a brief interlude. The city is moving quickly again, forcing its residents to readjust. “It’s crowded again now, especially in the evenings. When heading home from work, you have to prepare for the usual crush,” said Fahri, met in the Manggarai area on Thursday (26/3/2026). He vividly recalls how the atmosphere during Lebaran felt far more humane. Train carriages were not full, and passengers could even sit without competing for space. Now, that situation has changed in just a matter of days. This drastic shift forces him to readjust his strategy. He chooses to leave earlier to avoid extreme density during rush hours. “If you’re even a little late, it’s already full. So now I have to go much earlier to catch a train that’s not too crowded yet,” he said. Despite the crowding, Fahri persists in using the KRL. For him, this mode of transport remains the most rational choice. “The KRL may be packed, but at least the timing is more predictable than on the roads,” he stated. “After Lebaran, it feels like a reset. As soon as you come back here, you’re back to reality,” he added. That reality is the long daily journey. He admits to spending up to two hours on the road, especially when traffic is heavy. To cope, Surya tries leaving earlier. However, according to him, this method is not always effective. “If everyone leaves earlier too, it’s still crowded,” he said.