Semarang Floods, 15 Train Trips Disturbed And Must Change Paths

Illustration of train passenger activity at Purwokerto Station, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. (ANTARA)

PURWOKERTO - Public Relations Manager of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Operational Area 5 Purwokerto Feni Novida Saragih said at least 15 series of northern routes turned through the southern route due to flooding which inundated three plots of roads in Daop 4 Semarang

"Three road plots that were flooded include Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng-Alastua, Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng-Semarang Poncol, and Mangkang-Kaliwungu," Feni was quoted as saying by ANTARA, Thursday, March 14.

In fact, he said, the height of the puddles in the three plots of roads was on Thursday, March 14, at 00.30 WIB, more than 10 centimeters above the railhead, so it was not possible to pass the train.

Regarding this condition, he said KAI implemented a pattern of rotating train travel operations against trains across the north of Java to be diverted through the southern route by passing through stations in the PT KAI Daop 5 Purwokerto area.

"Based on data as of 05.00 WIB, 15 northern routes were recorded whose journey was to turn through the southern route," he said.

According to him, the 15 northern routes consist of KA 4 Argo Bromo Anggrek, KA 76A-77F Pandalungan, KA 57 Brawijaya, KA 3 Argo Bromo Anggrek, KA 215 Majapahit, KA 126 Harina, KA 130 Gumarang, KA 63 Sembrani, KA 219 Kertajaya, KA 131 Dharmawangsa, KA 216 Majapahit, KA 3 Argo Bromo Anggrek, KA 78F Pandalungan, KA 64 Sembrani, and KA 108 Jayabaya.

Asked about the train journey of 155 Kamandaka from Purwokerto-Semarang Tawang Bank Central Java on Thursday (14/3) morning, Feni said the train was still dispatched from Purwokerto Station according to schedule at 05.00 WIB.

However, after arriving in Semarang, he said, train passengers 155 Kamandaka will be deployed at Semarang Poncol Station because Semarang Tawang Station, Bank Jateng, was flooded.

"On behalf of PT KAI (Persero), especially Daop 5 Purwokerto, we apologize to all train customers who have been disrupted by the impact of flooding or puddles at several railroad points that enter the Daop 4 Semarang area," he said.

He said that currently KAI is trying its best so that all train trips can return to normal.

For customers affected by the train journey he will ride, he said, KAI compensates for delays in train departures or delays due to flooding in Semarang.

"As a form of compensation to customers, KAI will provide ticket fee refunds of up to 100 percent excluding message fees, for affected customers. Cancellations can be made up to seven days after the scheduled departure on tickets," said Feni.