Train Class

Train is one of popular public transport in Java island. The train railways are starts from Merak in the west and ends at Banyuwangi and Surabaya in the east. The busy line are from Jakarta to Surabaya through Semarang at north side and Jakarta-Surabaya through Yogya and Solo at south side. Another destinations are Bandung, Malang, Madiun, Kroya, Kutoarjo, and many more cities. There are four classes train available. The lowest is economy class. Very cheap, but no Air Conditioning, hard and fix seats, many times stop, and five seat abreast. The third class is business class. This class still no AC, softer seat, and four abreast. The fare is double economy fare. The second class is executive class. This class equipped with AC, TV, and reclining four abreast seats. Executive class compartments still attach with business class compartment, so they have same speed. The fare executive class is almost double business class. The first class is Argo class. This train equipped with AC, TV, reclining seat, four abreast, and meal. Argo compartment is not attach to another class, so this train has maximum speed. The example of this classes are : Argo Gede (Jakarta-Bandung), Argo Muria (Jakarta-Semarang), Argo Anggrek (Jakarta-Surabaya), and Argo Wilis (Bandung-Surabaya).

KRL

KRL which means KeReta Listrik is electric train. KRL is one of reliable public transports in Jakarta. KRL usually consist of eight compartments and driven by electric power. KRL moves from some area around Jakarta (Bogor, Bekasi, Tangerang) to downtown Jakarta. Base station of KRL in center Jakarta is at Stasiun Jakarta Kota (Jakarta City Station) or sometimes we call Stasiun Kota.

This station is located near “old city” area and build by Dutch colonial government. From Stasiun Kota we can go to south direction to Depok and Bogor and passing many little stations. In east direction we can go to Bekasi and passing some another little stations. From Stasiun Kota to west direction we can go to Tangerang and Serpong. The stations that passed by KRL for every route shows on map below.

There are three types of KRL. The first one is KRL Express which only stops at big station like Gambir and end station, so this KRL have high speed and equip with Air Conditioning. Of course, the ticket fare is highest than other type. Route for this KRL are Jakarta-Bogor, Jakarta-Bekasi, Jakarta-Depok, Jakarta-Serpong, Bogor-TanahAbang, Depok Tanah Abang, Bojong Gede-Tanah Abang, and Jakarta-Bojong Gede.

The second type is KRL economy class. This KRL isn’t equips with Air Conditioning and stops at almost all station in its route. Ticket price is lowest but speed is slower and sometimes passed by KRL Express. The passenger in economy KRL is many more than KRL Express. In the morning and afternoon this KRL overload and very hard to get into or exit from KRL. The route is same with KRL express but stops in every station. Sometimes when passenger is overload, the train stops due to some reason and the air is hot, situation inside this KRL is same with steam-bath. Big sweat will appears from skin and clothes will completely wet. If a passenger complaint with this condition, another passenger will advises to not ride this KRL tomorrow. Off course both of them will ride this KRL again next day because this KRL type is cheapest transport in Jakarta.

The third type is KRL AC Economy. This KRL is like KRL Economy but equips with Air Conditioning. The ticket fare is between economy and express. Some peoples which need stop at little station but also need comfortable compartment choose this KRL type.

For all of KRL type, passengers have only some seconds to enter or exit from KRL. For economy class, the time available is less than one minutes. For some station which more passengers load and unload, available time is longer. For KRL AC which must open and close doors, available time is longer than economy class. If you will use KRL for first time, please be careful. Don’t insist to enter if time is running out or KRL starts moving. Better if you try not in busy time. Don’t forget to watch your property because sometimes copet (pickpocket) use this opportunity to action.