New regulations aboard the KRL Commuterline should be expected when life moves forward to the so-called “new normal,” as the train operator recently highlighted additional health protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI), which operates the KRL Commuterline, will continue with existing health protocols that have been in place since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, such as passengers being required to wear face masks at all times, undergoing body temperature check before entering the station, as well as physical distancing measures onboard the train.
PT KCI spokesperson Anne Purba said in a statement that several stations will control the number of commuters at certain times in order to limit the number of passengers queueing on the platform and onboard the trains, which might see station officers opening and closing the station’s entrance if necessary. In addition, the company has also provided additional washstands and hand sanitizers at the stations, with passengers expected to take advantage of before and after boarding the train.
Anne said that following the first confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, trains and station facilities have been regularly sprayed with disinfectant liquids. To further limit transmission risks, the stations’ musala (Islamic prayer rooms) are no longer providing passengers with carpets, prayer mats, as well as prayer garments.
Furthermore, PT KCI is also suggesting that passengers should refrain from talking while they are onboard, be it to fellow passengers or on the phone, in order to minimize the potential spread of droplets from the mouth or nose. Passengers are also advised to utilize cashless options when buying tickets.
The KRL Commuterline in the Greater Jakarta Area has seen a drastic decrease in passengers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the stay at home advisory and the follow-up Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) protocol, KRL Commuterline served up to 900,000 to one million passengers daily.
“All in all, the KRL Commuterline users have declined by more than 80 percent compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic,” Anne Purba said.
During PSBB, PT KCI operates 88 trains – which is the same amount as usual – with a total of 774 trips per day. Though they are serving less passengers, the frequency of the daily trips have remained the same to avoid long lines and crowds.
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