KAI Cancels Long-distance Train Trips After Jokowi's Ban On Homecoming

Illustration (Angga Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has canceled trips for long-distance trains and local trains. This cancellation was carried out after the government decided to prohibit people from going home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic since Friday, April 24.

"In the Daop 1 Jakarta area starting Friday, April 24, 2020, all departures and arrivals of Long Distance Train and Local Trains are not operated," said the Head of Public Relations of PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta, Eva Chairunisa, in a written statement received by VOI, Thursday, April 23.

He explained that long-distance trains that do not operate are trains from Gambir Station, Pasar Senen Station, and Jakarta Kota Station with the final destination of Bandung, Cirebon, Tegal, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo, Surabaya, Malang, and various cities in other regions. .

A total of 70 long-distance train trips in Daop 1 Jakarta were canceled and 67 trains of which were regular trains. While the other three trains are additional trains that are operated on weekdays and holidays.

Meanwhile, for local trains in the Daop 1 Jakarta area, 31 trips were canceled. In details, 6 Pangrango trains for the Bogor-Sukabumi connection, 12 local Merak trains with the Rangkasbitung-Merak route round trip, 6 Walahar trains for the Tanjung Priuk-Purwakarta route round trip, 4 Jatiluhur trains for the Tanjung Priuk-Cikampek route back and forth, and 3 The Siliwangi train on the Sukabumi-Ciranjang route.

"Prospective passengers who already have tickets will be returned in full by KAI by being contacted by the KAI 121 Contact Center for further guidance," said Eva.

In addition, prospective passengers can also cancel their tickets independently via the KAI Access application or come directly to the designated station counters. For ticket cancellation through the application, it can be done up to a maximum of three hours before departure and the ticket fee refund will be transferred no later than 45 days later.

Meanwhile, cancellations at station counters can be made at all long-distance and local train departure stations, a maximum of 30 days after the scheduled departure by showing the booking code, and the money will be immediately replaced in cash or via transfer.

The stations that served the cancellations were Gambir Station, Pasar Senen Station, Jakarta Kota Station, Bogor Paledang Station, Cikampek Station, Rangkasbitung Station, Serang Station, and Bekasi Station. Cancellations can be made every day from 08.00 WIB to 16.00 WIB.

This cancellation only applies to long-distance and local trains carrying passengers. Meanwhile, the freight train, said Eva, will continue to operate as usual. According to him, the stopping of this operation will be carried out until April 30th. His party will also continue to carry out evaluations and follow existing developments.

Previously, President Joko Widodo made a decision to prohibit people from returning to their hometowns in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in various regions. After taking this policy, Jokowi ordered his ranks to prepare for the ban and its impact in the future.

"At this meeting I would like to convey that we will prohibit all homecoming. Therefore, preparations related to this have begun to be prepared," said Jokowi while opening a limited meeting to discuss public anticipation which was broadcast on the YouTube account of the Presidential Secretariat, Tuesday, April 21. .

This policy is not only based on survey results but also because currently assistance for people affected by COVID-19 economically, such as basic food assistance and social assistance including pre-employment cards have been distributed.