Minister Tells Commuter Line Operator to Continue Random COVID-19 Testing

President Jokowi inspects COVID-19 vaccination at Bogor Railway Station, West Java province some time ago. (Photo by: BPMI)

In a bid to curb COVID-19 transmission on commuter line, Ministry of Transportation has ordered commuter line operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) to continue random COVID-19 testing for passengers of Greater Jakarta commuter line.

“This effort is made in order to provide a sense of security to commuter line passengers so the commuters are those who are really in good health amid the surge in COVID-19 cases,” Ministry of Transportation’s Spokesperson Adita Irawati said, as quoted from the Ministry’s website, Tuesday (29/06).

Previously, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, on 19 June 2021, had ordered state railway company PT KAI, in this case the KCI, to conduct random tests following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases and new COVID-19 variants with higher transmission rates.

For the record, the number of Greater Jakarta commuters continues to increase, reaching 400,000-500,000 people per day.

“We appreciate the KCI for random rapid antigen tests on Great Jakarta commuter line passengers at six stations, namely Manggarai Station, Tanah Abang Station, Bogor Station, Tangerang Station, Bekasi Station, and Cikarang Station since 21 June 2021,” Adita said.

Data from the KCI shows that from 21 to 27 June 2021, around 912 people were randomly tested at the six stations.

“Last week saw a decrease in the number of commuter line passengers per day to around 126,000 passengers. As an anticipatory measure, the Minister’s order is to continue the random tests,” Adita said.

Adita further stated that a host of initiatives have been introduced by the Ministry and transportation operators in an effort to control transportation.

This aims to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 on public transportation such as commuter line, which is the public’s favorite mass transportation around Greater Jakarta.

Some of these initiatives include limiting the number of passengers to 74 people per train carriage, adjusting the queue distance of passengers who will enter the station and board the train, conducting a regular announcement on the implementation of health protocols (wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining a safe distance), banning passenger on talking each other onboard, and wearing long-sleeves.

The announcements are made at the station as well as onboard the commuter line through various available media.

In addition, another initiative is the provision of buses as alternative transportation to prevent overcrowding of commuter line passengers.

Data from the Greater Jakarta Transportation Management Agency (BPTJ) of the Ministry, as many as 10 buses have been provided at two train stations, namely Bogor Station (6 buses) and Cikarang Station (4 buses). The intended route from Bogor Station is Juanda Station, Tanah Abang Station, Sudirman Station, Manggarai Station and Tebet Station. While the intended route from Cikarang Station is Manggarai Station and Sudirman Station.

“We continue to remind people who are still actively using public transportation to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols. They are advised to use double masks, a medical mask covered with a cloth mask, as appealed by the COVID-19 Task Force,” Adita said. (PR of Ministry of Transportation/UN) (FI/MUR)