Jakarta's Gambir Station to be Modernized into "National Station"

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Gambir Station, a main railway station in Jakarta, is soon to be renovated into a more modern station. The Indonesian government even said it would be transformed into a "national", integrated station.

Executiv Director of Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), Bobby Rasyidi, spoke about the plan after meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, and the Indonesia's Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi. He said the renovation would be done in two years.

"We will renovate Gambir (Station). In two years, we will have a (good) Gambir," he said, giving a thumbs up.

Gambir Station is one of two main long-distance railways in one of the world's largest megacities, the other being Pasar Senen Station to the east and Jatinegara Station to the southeast. The original station building was opened in 1882, but it was later demolished to make way for the Jakarta-Kota-Manggarai elevated railway track, which was inaugurated in 1992 alongside the station's new building.

While the KRL Commuterline's Bogor (Red) Line passes the station, it does not serve the line; the four-track station mostly serves executive-class long-distance trains to major cities across Java. However, this will end soon, as it will join Pasar Senen and Jatinegara in a possible hub connecting long-distance and commuter trains.

"Later, we will integrate (Gambir Station) with the KRL," Bobby said. Located at the heart of Central Jakarta, Gambir Station is one of the grandest railway stations in Indonesia, with various features such as restaurants, face recognition-based check-in, and even a station hotel. However, the government wants to upgrade the station further.

"It will become a national station," he continued, without defining the term further. In addition, Bobby also reported to the President on the accelerated management of level crossings to improve the safety of trains and road users, in the aftermath of the deadly railway collision in Bekasi, West Java, in late April that killed 15. KAI reported that 172 level crossings have been closed to date, and another 490 are under construction.

"We will soon begin construction on the remaining 1,148 gates," he added.