Bekasi (21/11) - In order to support the completion of the Manggarai-Cikarang Double-Double Track project, the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) through the Jakarta and Banten Regional Railway Engineering Center held a switch overactivity on Sunday (21/11) early morning. The switch over activity which was carried out on the downstream line of KM 25+200 to 25+000 between Bekasi Station - Kranji Station was carried out to move the active line so that work on the Northside of Bekasi Station could be carried out.

Head of the Jakarta and Banten Regional Railway Engineering Center, Rode Paulus, said that this switch-over activity had an impact on the pattern of train services at Bekasi Station. "After the switch over is carried out, lines 1, 2, and 3 in the old Bekasi Station building will be deactivated and train services for both long-distance trains and KRL will be carried out on lines 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the new station building," explained Rode.

The South side station building which is operated has 2 floors, namely the ground floor and the 1st floor. According to the minimum service standards set, this station has 6 escalators, 3 manual stairs and 3 disabled lifts. In addition, to support passenger comfort, there are 1 prayer room and 2 female and male toilets on the 1st floor and ground floor, as well as 1 disabled toilet on the 1st floor and 18 tapping gate. "Bekasi Station is one of the busiest KRL stations, therefore the Government is building this station to be more mega-wide, safe and comfortable." Rode added.

Furthermore, Rode stated that there are many benefits from the operation of the Bekasi Selatan Station, both in terms of comfort and safety. "With the operation of this station, although only partially, safety will increase because it reduces the level of crossing, passengers move platforms via stairs or escalators, apart from that the facilities are also very complete and good and the building design is beautiful," said Rode.

Rode said, although this switch-over activity was carried out at a window time and only finished at 03.15 WIB, it did not in the least reduce the enthusiasm of the workers in the field in ensuring this work was completed on time. "Therefore, I would like to give my greatest appreciation to all parties involved so that this switch-over activity can be carried out properly and quickly," he continued.

"With this service change, we hope that service users can adjust to the information provided by the operator so as not to cause confusion when getting up and down at Bekasi stations," concluded Rode. (spn/hja)