Cutting Travel Time with Airport Train

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

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Marta, 47, decided to take the airport train on Tuesday (2/1) from Sudirman Baru Station to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA). The South Sumatra resident will fly to Palembang at 5 p.m. The train departed Sudirman Baru Station on time at 1:21 p.m.

“I want to see what is it like to travel on the airport train. Is it really faster than a Damri bus or taxi?” Marta said.

Like Marta, Herman, 28, also tried out the airport train after landing at SHIA from West Kalimantan, heading home to Matraman, East Jakarta. Normally, he took a Damri bus. This time, he took the train and got off at Sudirman Baru Station, afterward ordering a ride-hailing service. When getting on the airport train, he was confused about where to put his suitcase and backpack.

“Frankly, I am curious as to what the airport train is like. Usually, I take a Damri bus. As the train and skytrain are available, I decided to give them a try. Who knows? They might be faster and more comfortable,” said Herman, who took several pictures on his smartphone.

Kompas tested the new transportation, taking a Transjakarta bus from Blok M Bus Terminal in South Jakarta. The bus stopped at the Dukuh Atas 1 shelter. Then, the journalist walked for 16 minutes to Sudirman Station. From Sudirman Station, he walked about 100 meters more to reach Sudirman Baru Station.

The airport train arrived at 1:18 p.m. Around 3 minutes later, the train left the station. It ran at a speed of about 54 kilometers per hour and got to SHIA 57 minutes later. He arrived on the platform at 2:18 p.m. The trip was continued on the skytrain. He had to wait around 8 minutes before the skytrain arrived.

To reach the check-in counter in the departure hall of Terminal 1B, it took Kompas 1 hour and 20 minutes from Sudirman Baru Station.

The availability of a comfortable, safe and punctual mass transportation in Greater Jakarta is seen as a must. President Joko Widodo made the statement during yesterday’s inauguration of the Soekarno-Hatta airport train in Tangerang, Banten. “Because traffic congestion has cost the state Rp 67 trillion per year,” the President said.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

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Non-cash

The airport train ticket of Rp 70,000 per passenger can be purchased via the Railink app or at the ticket vending machine at Sudirman Baru Station. The vending machine only accepts non-cash transaction using ATM card,s credit cards or electronic money.

Until yesterday, the airport train only served Sudirman Baru Station, Batu Ceper Station and the SHIA station. The Duri and Manggarai stations are still under development.

Although she welcomed the airport train, Marta said the integration between different modes of transportation to reach Sudirman Baru Station needed improvement.

“Passengers who bring many luggage for their trip may think twice before taking the train, because they have to change transportation. If they travel alone with only a few pieces of luggage, it would be no problem,” Marta said.

Herman said the airport train ticket was cheaper than the taxi fare. However, the airport train ticket was more expensive than the Damri bus fare. If the trip involved more than one passenger, a taxi would be more economical.

PT Railink president director Heru Kuswanto said the airport train was not intended to cut out other modes of transportation. The rail transportation system offers more precise travel time and better comfort during the journey.

(DEA/NDY/DD13)