Karet Station set to close due to safety issues

Jakarta (ANTARA) - VP Corporate Secretary of KAI Commuter Joni Martinus stated that the decision to close Karet Station was taken after evaluating passenger safety and the frequent traffic congestion associated with access to the station.

"The safety factor is the main consideration (for the closure of the Karet Station)," Martinus stated here on Friday.

He noted that the station receives a minimum of two thousand passengers each hour, with an average waiting time of 10 minutes for each departure.

He pointed out that given the large volume of passengers, the waiting area at Karet Station can only accommodate around 150 people, which poses a safety risk for those present.

He emphasized that the waiting room should be able to accommodate at least 330 people.

"Not to mention that access to the entrance of Karet Station often triggers congestion because it is near a level crossing," he remarked.

If Karet Station were to be merged with the nearby BNI City Station, Martinus believes passengers can experience more efficient facilities and services with guaranteed safety.

Moreover, the BNI City station, located in the Dukuh Atas area, connects seamlessly with other modes of transportation.

To minimize train travel time, KAI Commuter and state railway firm PT KAI are currently planning and coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation to integrate Karet Station with BNI City Station.

Based on the factual observations conducted, Karet Station is located just 350 meters from BNI City Station.

"Commuter Line passengers will be better served at BNI City Station, which so far only serves an average of 2,408 passengers every day or as many as 100 passengers per hour daily," Martinus remarked.