Train travel to the lull of karaoke

By P.J. Leo

JAKARTA (JP): For passengers traveling from Jakarta to Semarang who cannot sleep, the night trip by train is far from boring.

A short stroll can take you to the karaoke room where train attendants are ready to sing along on request.

"We have a collection of songs for karaoke singing. They are often requested by passengers," says Anna, a train crew member.

"Sometimes there are passengers who cannot sleep and who sing karaoke until we approach the Pasar Turi Station in Surabaya."

The train also provides a few computers for those who must catch up with work, while two public telephones are at hand nearby.

This is the Argo Bromo Anggrek, a new train which the state- run railway company Perumka put into operation last September. Manufactured by INKA industry in Madiun, East Java, it plies the Jakarta-Surabaya route twice a day.

The night train leaves Jakarta's Gambir Railway Station at 9 p.m. and arrives at Surabaya's Pasar Turi Station at 6 a.m. The daytime train leaves Gambir at 9 a.m. and arrives in Surabaya at 9 p.m.

Daytime passengers get the benefit of a slightly lower price and of observing the coastline.

Fares for the morning train are Rp 100,000 for the executive class and Rp 125,000 for the Anggrek executive class which provides passengers with extra luxuries. Tickets for the night train run Rp 125,000 and Rp 150,000 respectively.

The Anggrek executive class gives computer access to its passengers.

Smiling stewards and stewardesses welcome passengers aboard with friendly smiles. "I am very satisfied with the service," says Sutrisna Martono, an entrepreneur living in Jakarta taking the night train.

"My family and I have been traveling by train to Surabaya for many years," he says.

"The interior design and the car's amenities are very good. I don't get worn out during the long journey," he adds.

Despite the comforts, the passenger provides a suggestion: "I hope Perumka will soon build a railway track mainly for superior trains to lessen the jolts during high speed."

It gets late and the air conditioning becomes palpably colder. The train crew starts to distribute blankets, while parents help children put on extra clothes. The TV sets and some of the lights are switched off.

The Argo Bromo Anggrek increases speed and the slightly rocking movement of the cars lulls passengers to sleep. The chairs provide footrests for extra comfort.

Smokers may go to the rear of the train or the dining car.

At about 5 a.m., the train crew starts to gently wake up passengers, handing them a small warm towel to refresh themselves.

A few minutes later breakfast is served.

Despite its comforts, the luxury train shares the fate of all classes of trains here. It sometimes is pelted with stones by people along the railroad. The train suffers from many broken windows during its night journey.

"We don't know whether it's sabotage or only a pastime for some people," says Soemino Eka Saputra, the Perumka director.