Whether It's Good Or Bad News, Long-distance Train Passengers Drop 65 Percent During Emergency PPKM

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) stated that there has been a decline in the number of long-distance train (KA) customers by 65 percent since the government's implementation of Emergency PPKM.

"This decline shows that people are starting to limit their movement according to government directions and policies during the Emergency PPKM period," said KAI VP of Public Relations Joni Martinus in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, July 7.

Joni said that on July 3-5, 2021, KAI had served 51,363 long-distance train customers, down 50 percent compared to the previous week (26-28 July 2021) of 104,072 customers.

On July 5, KAI had dispatched 8,829 long-distance train customers, down from the departure on July 4 of 25,495 customers. During the Emergency PPKM period, KAI reduced long-distance train trips by 44 percent from an average of 122 trips per day in June, to 68 trips.

"KAI fully supports the policies implemented by the government on rail transportation modes during this Emergency PPKM period to suppress the spread of COVID-19," he said.

To help the community complete the requirements, KAI has again added free COVID-19 Vaccination services at the station, namely Malang Station starting July 6, 2021. Thus, there are now 11 stations that provide free COVID-19 Vaccination specifically for long-distance train customers, namely: Gambir, Pasar Monday, Bandung, Cirebon, Semarang Tawang, Purwokerto, Yogyakarta, Solo Balapan, Madiun, Jember, and Malang

The requirements for participating in the free COVID-19 vaccination include being 18 years of age and over, showing the ticket booking code, ID card, and arriving no later than H-1 before the scheduled departure.

Especially for pregnant women, they can get the vaccine at the station after receiving an explanation from health workers and being willing to make their choice to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

"In the 3-July 2021 period, KAI has vaccinated 993 long-distance train customers at various stations," said Joni.

In addition to the Free COVID-19 Vaccination service at the Stations, KAI has also provided 83 stations that serve Antigen Rapid Tests for Rp85,000.