TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - To anticipate long lines for the Commuter Line or KRL, the Jakarta School Transportation Management mobilized a total of 50 school buses to accommodate people queuing at several stations. Due to the physical distancing order in the transitional social restriction or PSBB, the number of commuters is limited to 50 percent of the train capacity.

“We deploy 50 buses to anticipate a surge in passengers at KRL stations,” said the head of the Jakarta School Transportation Management, Ali Murthado, in Jakarta, Friday, June 12.

According to Ali, the buses will stand by at five main stations, viz. Juanda, Sudirman, Tanah Abang, Manggarai, and Tebet. “Ten buses will be placed at each station to reach several destinations in Jabodetabek.”

The school buses will operate to Bogor Baranangsiang Terminal, Depok Terminal, Bekasi Terminal, Tangerang BSD Modern Market, and Bintaro Exchange.

Commuters who are left waiting to enter train stations can take the bus to their destination for free.

In this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Jakarta School Transportation Management is paying special attention to the drivers, he explained. “[We assure that] the bus crew members are sterile [from COVID-19], under the supervision of the PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) and the Health Agency,” Ali said.

The 50 school buses have been sterilized with disinfectants at the Hek TMII bus pool. The drivers’ conditions have also been screened periodically to ensure their health while on duty.

ANTARA