Jakarta – The government’s plan to close Karet Station and transfer its operations to BNI City Station has sparked strong protests from KRL users, especially those who frequently use Karet Station.
Netizens’ anger has poured out on social media, with platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook flooded with disappointed and critical comments.
“BNI City is closer to Sudirman. The government should look at how many people frequently use BNI City and Karet stations. Many people board and disembark at Karet. If it’s closed, their routines will definitely change, and their commutes might become longer,” explained @nightfuryyyy.
“What do they know about KRL? They drive private or official cars every day. Try experiencing KRL during rush hour. Karet is that crowded, and you want to close the station? You might as well close BNI City Station instead—it’s useless. People wanting to transfer to the MRT from Sudirman can still do so,” added @doiebluesky.
“They think it’s close because they surveyed by car. By the time I walk from BNI City to Karet, my perfume scent is already gone,” said @lehugalu.
“I’m confused about decisions like this. Have they even experienced using KRL or walking from BNI City to Karet? What’s the basis for this decision? Why do we have to deal with public services that always make dumb decisions? Where’s the research?” wrote @whisperingwon.
“I can’t imagine how crowded it will be if everything converges at Sudirman Station. Honestly, BNI City and Sudirman aren’t good alternatives for closing Karet Station,” commented @asongforthesun.
Reason for Closing Karet Station and Moving Operations to BNI City
The plan to close Karet Station was announced by the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, as part of an effort to optimize the airport train, which is expected to accommodate up to 10 million passengers annually. The close proximity between Karet Station and BNI City Station was cited as the main reason.
Erick explained that the airport train has underperformed, transporting only about 1.5 million passengers annually out of a potential 10 million. He emphasized the need for improvements in the rail ecosystem, including closing Karet Station due to its proximity to other KRL stations.
“This is about building an ecosystem. Perhaps Karet Station could be closed,” he said at BNI City Station, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/1/2024), as quoted by detikFinance.
Rudi As Aturridha, Director of Business Development and Institutional Affairs at PT KAI, confirmed the plan, stating that Karet Station is too close to BNI City Station.
“Karet Station is being closed because it is very close to BNI City. People wanting to go to Karet can simply walk there. We’ve already built a walkway connecting to BNI City, making traffic flow faster,” Rudi explained.
Meanwhile, VP of Corporate Communication at KAI Commuter, Joni Martinus, said that optimizing BNI City Station is expected to shorten airport train travel time from 56 minutes to 40 minutes. This improvement aims to make the service a primary choice for passengers traveling to and from the airport.
BNI City Station, located in Dukuh Atas, is already integrated with various modes of transportation, including TransJakarta, MRT, LRT, and JakLingko.
“This integration helps reduce road congestion en route to the airport. With all transport modes converging at BNI City Station, passengers can save time and arrive at the airport on schedule,” Joni stated in an official release on Thursday (2/1/2024).
To further reduce travel time, KAI Commuter and PT KAI (Persero) are coordinating with the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation to integrate Karet Station’s operations with BNI City Station.
According to research and field observations, Karet Station is only 350 meters away from BNI City Station.
“Commuter Line users will be better served at BNI City Station, which currently accommodates an average of 2,408 users or 100 users per hour daily. With a maximum capacity of 2,000 users per hour, BNI City Station can handle the increased passenger flow,” he added.
Joni also highlighted the inadequacy of Karet Station’s facilities. Data from KAI shows nearly 2,000 passengers enter the station per hour, requiring a waiting area capacity of 330 people. However, Karet Station’s hall can only accommodate around 150 people, posing safety risks.
Furthermore, the station’s entrance, located near a railway crossing, often causes traffic congestion.
“By merging operations at BNI City Station, passengers can enjoy better facilities and services in a safer environment. KAI Commuter prioritizes safety for all users,” Joni emphasized.
