Jakarta's Train Stations Still Packed to the Rafters During Large-Scale Social Restriction

Jakarta. Long queues for the Commuter Line trains were seen at stations in Jakarta on Monday morning, the fourth day of the capital's large-scale social restriction, or PSBB – an epidemic containment measure a step below total area lockdown the provincial government has imposed on the city of 11 million people.

Commuters from Jakarta's satellite cities thronged to the Bogor, Cilebut, Bojonggede, Citayam and Depok stations where security officers, assisted by Indonesian Marines, enforced physical distancing policy. 

Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) spokesman Adli Hakim said more than 4,000 service and security officers, assisted by the Marines, have been deployed at 80 stations in Greater Jakarta to educate commuters about physical distancing.

"They will make sure each train car only contain the maximum number of passengers allowable under the PSBB," Adli said in a statement on Monday.

To avoid overcrowding, Kereta Commuter Indonesia is running five new schedules – three from Bogor Station, one from Bojonggede and one from Manggarai – and will operate from 6 a.m. to 6.p.m every day.

"We're hoping for assistance from local governments to enforce the physical distancing policy," he said.

Adli urged businesses to instruct their employees to work from home or enforce working hours that will allow them to catch trains or buses during their limited operating hours under the PSBB.