7/30/2019 Understanding Infrastructure Utilization - Commuter Train of Bandung Metropolitan Case Study

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Understanding

Infrastructure UtilizationCase Study : Commuter Train of Bandung Metropolitan

Area

GHULAMIN RIZQIAWAN

12/338919/PMU/7416

Commuter Train of Bandung Metropolitan Area is one

of the Public Transport Mode which connects core

urban area with sub urban area. Commuter Train

connects Stasiun Padalarang in West Part of Bandung

Fringe Area to Stasiun Cicalengka in East Part ofBandung Fringe Area through the Center of Bandung

Core Urban Area that represent by Stasiun Bandung,

Cikudapateuh, and Kiaracondong. The distance from

Padalarang to Stasiun Bandung is 14,5 km, Stasiun Bandung to Cicalengka is 31,1 km, in one

way the train ran about 45 km passed 11 station.

The train which operated ran by diesel, people usually call the train with KRD, its acronym from

Kereta Rel Diesel. The line was activated by PT.KAI since early 90. PT. KAI as operator makes

service differentiation that divides the train into KRD Patas and KRD Ekonomi. The differences

between KRD Patas and KRD ekonomi is lie on the price and the length. Ticket price for KRD

Ekonomi is very cheap, with Rp. 1.000-Rp.1.500 we can go whenever station we want in line. If

we want to go with KRD Patas, we must pay about Rp. 7.000-Rp. 10.000 . With KRD Patas we

can take 1 hour 12 minutes from Cicalengka to Padalarang, its faster about 35 minutes than KRD

Ekonomi. KRD Patas run faster because its only stop at certain station. KRD Patas depart 10

times a day, KRD Ekonomi depart 9 times a day. Travel Patterns of user is to work (32,2%),

family visit (26,3%), others (14,4%), study (10,6%) (Kuswara,2005 : 4-8).

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Analyzing the utilization of the train can be

seen from three dimension of condition

(physical condition, capacity, and function)

and identifying what changes has been made

as impact from provision and utilization of its

train (social, economic, environment)

(Usman, ____ ). First, The Physical Condition.

At the beginning, both KRD Ekonomi and

Patas pulled by diesel locomotive CC 201/CC

202 (shipped from USA 1991-1992) was

running smoothly, arrive and depart at the

schedule. But, after few years themaintenance seem doesnt going properly, so

there is many late arrival caused by engine

breakdown. That condition decreasing the

reliability because people cant rely anymore

on the schedule which is the good time

schedule is what people expect most when

they deciding to choose train as their mode.

Another thing can be seen about physical condition is the image. It is true economic class train

provided to help poor people to reducing their transport cost, but unfortunately the train

condition is also very poor. Door open during the train run, chair is torn, bad toilet, pickpockets,

all of these condition reflects low conformity and low security. That condition makes some

people prefer using private cars or motorcycles rather train even they have to spent more

money and more time. Maybe we can say the train as an exclusive train, but exclusive poor train

for the poor people. In spite of that, few years ago PT. KAI launched Baraya Geulis Train. That

ex-Japanese train replaces KRD Patas to improve the service and the image of the train. The

improvements seem attract middle class users.

Secondly, the capacity. The train have some serious issue on capacity. From the beginning until

now, the train always over capacity at the peak hour. The train at peak hour always fully

crowded which is very bad situation for disable, women, children, and elder people. Pickpocket,

walking vendor, and Some guy who climb and sit at the roof worsened the situation. Another

thing on capacity issue is the scale of service area. The scale of service area is limited because

lack of interconnectedness with other transport mode. There is also limited of park and ride

facility. So people

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Thirdly, the function. The purpose of the

commuter train provision is to provide

alternative public transport that connecting

activity in core urban area with sub urban

area. The commuter train has been expected

to lowering people transport cost and

lowering level of people energy consumption

for transportation. So, indirectly the train can

push the suburban economy growth. At the very beginning, the commuter train can help foster

economy to the area surrounding the station. Near Rancaekek Station, formal housing growth

rapidly with the multiplier economy behind them. People need low price housing in suburban

but they still need to work at the city, they also still need to school at the city due to limitednumber of good quality school nearby. Nowadays, due to lack of train service, people that have

ability prefer private motorcycles or cars even they have to spent more money and time. So the

function of train still not make benefit for some people.

In the end we must conclude what changes has been made. Economically, the train help foster

economy to suburban area, but lack of services and interconnectedness make some people still

doesnt get benefit from commuter train. Socially, the train help poor people to reduce transport

cost but lack of security and conformity make some group especially disable, children, women

and elderly are unsafe.

References

Kuswara, Kereta Api Komuter dan Perkembangan Permukiman Perkotaan, Studi Kasus : Kereta

Komuter Bandung Raya dan Surabaya Sidoarjo, 2005. Puslitbangkim, Bandung.

Usman, Sunyoto, Infrastruktur dan Pengembangan Masyarakat (1-3). ____. MICD UGM,

Yogyakarta.

www.kereta-api.co.id