There Is A Free Bus To Anticipate KRL Overcrowding

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The government is preparing alternative bus transportation at a number of train stations. This bus can be used by electric train (KRL) passengers who cannot enter the train due to maximum passenger restrictions.

"The bus will be operationalized if there is a compelling condition where there is a density of KRL passengers at a certain time," said Head of Public Relations of the Jabodetabek Transportation Management Agency (BPTJ) Budi Rahardjo in a written statement received by VOI, Friday, May 15.

Budi said, the alternative bus that departs from and to Jakarta is free of charge. One bus can only accommodate 25 people, which means only 50 percent of the total seat capacity.

"The user's seats are still at a distance from each other, and all of them are required to wear masks," he said.

Alternative bus services will be provided on Friday 15 May and Monday 18 May. The operation of this bus is adjusted to the working hours of the general public.

On Friday, the bus departure time is 16.00-16.30 WIB. For the Jakarta-Bogor route, buses can be found at Dukuh Atas Sudirman Station, Manggarai Station, and Tebet Station. The final destination is the Bogor Barangsiang Station. Meanwhile, for the Jakarta-Bekasi Route on Fridays, buses can be found at Dukuh Atas Sudirman Station and Manggarai Station with the final destination of Bekasi Terminal.

Meanwhile, on Monday, May 18, the bus service will be on the Bogor-Jakarta route with a departure time of 05.00-06.00 WIB. The departure point from Bogor Station to Dukuh Atas Sudirman Jakarta Station with a fleet of 5 buses.

Head of BPTJ Polana B. Pramesti stated that the provision of alternative buses was made due to the condition of the KRL which was often full. This is because at this time KRL must limit passengers to a maximum of 35 percent of the existing capacity.

Restrictions are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, said Polana, this restriction is in line with restrictions on work, study and worship activities from home.

However, congestion in KRL can occur because there are still people who carry out activities and work outside or their workplaces. In the PSBB regulations, there are 11 business sectors that are still allowed to operate. Government services are also still active.

"Indeed, there are some activities that are exempted in the PSBB, so the KRL continues to operate with restrictions that are intended to serve people who are still active in these exempted activities, of course by still referring to health protocols," said Polana.

Therefore, Polana asks the public to be able to regulate themselves by adjusting the schedule and conditions that apply to the operation of KRL if they continue to use KRL with the restrictions imposed. The public is also asked to comply with the rules for restricting alternative bus passengers.