Priority Seats on KRL Become Contested, Fatigue After Work Clouds Awareness

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Amidst a hectic and exhausting routine, priority seats on the Jabodetabek electric rail (KRL) trains frequently become a “battleground” for several passengers. From the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities to workers returning late at night, determining who is entitled to those seats often poses a real dilemma inside the carriages.

For Abdul Pratama (27), a private sector employee from Tangerang, the journey home on the KRL is not merely a mode of transport but a much-needed moment of rest. He leaves at dawn and only arrives home around 8:00 PM WIB.

According to him, in practice, the boundary between priority seats and regular seats often blurs, especially when the train is full.

“Honestly, in certain conditions, the seats on the train become like regular seats. First come, first served, especially when you’re really tired,” he said.

Nevertheless, Abdul admits to feeling uncomfortable when sitting in a priority seat without truly needing it.

“I once sat in a priority seat. But honestly, it felt awkward, especially if I see someone who needs it more,” he said.

For Abdul, the issue of priority seats is not just about rules but about awareness and each passenger’s condition.

Nisa Rahma (24), a civil servant in Central Jakarta, has a similar experience. With a shift work system that requires her to leave very early in the morning or return late at night, sitting on the train becomes an important moment to rest her body.

“On social media, I often see people arguing about priority seats. But in the field, the situation isn’t that simple,” Nisa said when met at Manggarai Station on Wednesday.

Many regular passengers understand the rules but face a dilemma when their bodies are extremely fatigued.

“Sometimes we know it’s a priority seat, but our bodies are so tired. So there’s a personal dilemma,” she said.

Arga Saputra (30), a private sector employee in Central Jakarta, admits to having sat in a priority seat even though he does not fall into the category that should receive it.

However, he emphasises that conditions on the ground often make the rules feel lax.

“Honestly, if no one reprimands, I consider it okay,” Arga said when met at Manggarai Station on Wednesday.

His heavy work routine makes him prioritise his physical condition.

Fikri Maulana (25), a courier from East Jakarta, views the seats on the KRL as ultimately a matter of opportunity.

“In reality on the ground, it’s like that. First come, first served,” Fikri said at Manggarai Station on Wednesday.

He added that not all passengers who claim to need the seat are truly in urgent conditions.

“Now we don’t always know who really needs it. So it’s hard to judge,” Fikri revealed.

KompAS.com conducted observations on the Manggarai–Jakarta Kota route using a 12-carriage train from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

Each carriage is known to have four priority seats at both ends. Although the train was not too crowded, all seats, both regular and priority, were fully occupied.