Tolerance is vital when taking the train

Tolerance is vital when taking the train

Economic and speed considerations are two of the main factors
motivating most commuters in Greater Jakarta to continue riding
trains, despite uncomfortable and unsafe conditions. To some,
there is a small silver lining as many of them feel a bond of
togetherness among fellow commuters. Some commuters shared their
experiences with The Jakarta Post.

Anpin, 48, a security officer for an apartment in Slipi, West
Jakarta. He used to be an army officer. He resides in Bekasi,
West Java, with his two children and wife:

I feel comfortable riding trains only when I manage to get a
seat inside. But, in fact, I almost never get a seat and it's
really uncomfortable for me.

I think security on the train so far is controllable as there
are no serious crimes. I guess the criminals are afraid of commit
crimes against the passengers here due to the solidarity among
us.

I'm happy to ride on commuter trains plying Bekasi to Tanah
Abang, Central Jakarta. I feel that most commuters get to know
each other due to the routine journey.

I prefer trains to other means of public transportation
because trains are a lot faster and more economical. I also
observe lots of social interactions aboard.

However, I suggest the state-owned railway company provide
more trains plying the Jakarta-Bekasi route so as to accommodate
more commuters.

Diah, an employee of a private company on Jl. Thamrin, Central
Jakarta, who resides in Bekasi with her husband and one child.
She has been using commuter trains for years:

I feel, as a woman, that the overcrowding of passengers on
commuter trains has always made that short journey uncomfortable.

I just regret the fact that there are only two economy class
trains and one executive class each day serving Jakarta-Bekasi.
The departures are not flexible at all to the public.

Therefore sometimes I take a public bus to take me to the
city. However I realize now that riding commuter trains to Bekasi
is much safer than any other means of transportation. The
solidarity among the commuters creates a solid, yet informal
bond. I find it easy to interact with my fellow commuters on
trains.

Besides, it's really economical and never affected by traffic
jams. It saves my time.

Edi Santoso, 40, a construction worker in Tanah Abang, Central
Jakarta. He lives in Bogor, West Java, with his eight children
and wife. He has been using commuter trains since 1998:

The overcrowding conditions have never stopped me from
traveling by train. I've become so accustomed to it now that it
never bothers me.

I just feel annoyed because many times the trains come late.
The arrival and departures are too often not in line with
schedules. On the other hand, the commuter trains plying Bogor-
Tanah Abang route have two tracks. But why does the unpunctuality
still happen?

So far, I've never seen crimes on the trains. What makes me
feel insecure is when the local residents throw stones at the
train windows. That has happened several times.

Edi, 49, a mechanic on Jl. Teluk Betung, Central Jakarta. He
lives in Bogor with his seven children and one wife. He has been
using commuter trains for about 15 years:

As a matter of fact, riding on commuter trains is far from
being comfortable. It's only the routine that enables me to
tolerate the otherwise inconvenient nature of my journey.

I can also say that the trains plying the Bogor-Tanah Abang
route are relatively safer than those that go to Kota railway
station. Every passenger feels secure due to the sense of
togetherness among commuters.

Should there be any criminals, the crooks would feel uneasy
upon seeing the bond here. I have occasionally talked to crooks
and they told me they would not rob the passengers here because
most of them know each other and would probably defend each
other.

I always buy monthly tickets as it's cheaper than buying
tickets for each trip.

I just hope the state-owned railway company takes stern
measures against passengers sitting on the roofs or on the
connecting links between train cars so that there are no more
deaths.

Fuad, 30, is an employee, whose parents reside in Sudimara,
Tangerang. He lives in Palmerah, West Jakarta. He has used a
commuter train since the 1990s:

Taking a commuter train is cheap but far from comfortable. I
have to be prepared for the overcrowding.

I wonder why the railway company never pays attention to such
intractable problems from year to year.

Passengers show no discipline and it seems there are no rules
enforced on such trains.

As a commuter I've also learned to identify the crooks who
always operate on the trains. They are dangerous, so we have to
be careful all the time.

But the most important thing is to look after oneself by
remaining alert at all times on the trains.

-- Leo Wahyudi S