Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has come to the defense of some MRT passengers who may have tarnished the reputation of the capital’s commuters even before the new subway system’s full launch.
Over the weekend, several photos of MRT passengers eating in a station, dangling on the train’s grab handles, standing on seats and littering went viral, prompting concerns on social media that Jakartans may not be ready for the state-of-the-art public transportation facility. The viral photos were even picked up by international media, such as Japan’s Asahi Shimbun.
When asked about the matter yesterday, Anies criticized those who he says condescendingly mocked the misbehaving passengers because not everybody has had the privilege of going on the subway before (MRT Jakarta is Indonesia’s first subway service).
“This is part of a process to get used to the rules and etiquette of riding the MRT. Let us go through that learning process together. We all thought going on a plane for the first time was amusing. Well, going on a train for the first time can also be amusing,” Anies told reporters, as quoted by Detik.
“I am saddened that they were photographed, mocked, and made viral with some of their faces visible. That’s not good,” he continued.
The photos, taken during MRT’s free public trial period last weekend, prompted some strong reaction online.
“I honestly don’t know what to say anymore, [because] these [kinds] of behavior are completely disgusting,” one user tweeted.
“Hopefully after the MRT is no longer free there won’t be incidents like this and hopefully people will be more aware of the rules,” another user tweeted after complaining about numerous passengers not queueing to board the train and passengers blocking entrance to the train by standing right in front of the train doors.
MRT Jakarta is still free to ride (subject to online registration) until March 31. Click here for the MRT’s full list of fares, effective April 1, and be sure to check out our review of the new subway.
