(Jakarta 31/5) - In order to continue the process of building Manggarai Ultimate Station as the first Central Station in Indonesia, the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA), through the Class I Railway Engineering Center for the Jakarta-Banten Region (BTP Jakban), has carried out the 5th Switch Over (SO 5) on Friday (27 /5) until Saturday (28/5) in the morning. This SO 5 activity is carried out to organize and condition the railway line so that the Manggarai Station construction work can proceed according to the predetermined target. To ensure the smooth operation of the SO process, the Head of the Class I Railway Engineering Center for the Jakarta-Banten Region, Rode Paulus, was present in person to give directions and review the work of SO 5 at Manggarai Station.

Rode explained that the construction of Manggarai Station could not be separated from the stages of staging or switch over, which are interrelated and cannot precede the next stage. This is because the construction of the station structure is located on an active railway line that must not be disturbed by its journey. "Switch Over 5 is divided into two stages of work with 8 work points on the south and north sides of Manggarai Station, stage 1 starts at 20.00 - 22.30 WIB while stage 2 starts at 23.00 to 02.00 WIB. In general, this SO work includes signaling system replacement, cutting, dismantling, connecting tracks, filling and compacting ballasts, checking alignment, spoor width, and track elevation to overhead electrical configuration (LAA) work," said Rode.

“We massively involve 500 workers for this SO work. In addition to empowering local workers as part of the labor-intensive program, hundreds of these workers are deployed so that the workflow and targets can be completed properly according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and rundowns that have been made because the project has to be completed in a relatively short time, specifically during the pause or window time between train operating hours which starts after the last train operates and before the first train starts the next day," said Rode.

As part of the work of the Manggarai - Cikarang DDT Mega Project, DJKA plans to hold seven switch-over stages before the construction of the Manggarai Ultimate Station can be completed. After the 5th switch over, the evaluation process continues to be pursued by DJKA to ensure the safety and comfort of KRL transportation operations, primarily to support KRL as the main public transportation that most people in the Greater Jakarta area rely on. Manggarai Station itself is targeted to be able to accommodate up to 1.2 million passengers per day. "At least for the next two weeks, we will continue to evaluate the post-work for SO 5, both in terms of technicality and service. The impact of SO 5 on the change in the pattern of KRL operations must be considered in terms of service. Therefore, at each station, BTP Jakban, along with the Directorate of Railway Traffic and Transportation, has assigned 5 to 10 personnel who will monitor the smooth flow of passenger movement. We also instruct officers in the field to provide education on which stations can be used. An alternative to this change in operating pattern and our officers will help direct KRL users inside the station," Rode concluded.

With the route adjustments and changes in the Jabodetabek KRL operating pattern, here are alternative routes to avoid congestion at Manggarai Station with the option of KRL travel without having to transit at Manggarai Station.

Alternative Route from Bogor

Bogor - Tanah Abang

Bogor - Jakarta City (Transit) - Kampung Bandan (Transit) - Tanah Abang

Bogor - Bekasi

Bogor - Jakarta City (Transit) - Kampung Bandan (Transit) - Jatinegara - Cikarang/Bekasi

Bogor - Jakarta City (Transit) - Kampung Bandan (Transit) - Tanah Abang - Cikarang/Bekasi

Alternative Route from Bekasi

Bekasi - Bogor

Bekasi/Cikarang - Kampung Bandan (Transit) - Jakarta Kota (Transit) - Bogor

Bekasi - Jakarta City / Juanda

Bekasi/Cikarang - Kampung Bandan (Transit) - Jakarta Kota (Transit) - Juanda

Bekasi - Tangerang

Bekasi/Cikarang - Tanah Abang (Transit) - Duri (Transit) - Tangerang

Bekasi/Cikarang - Kampung Bandan - Duri (Transit) - Tangerang

Bekasi - Tanah Abang

Bekasi/Cikarang - Sudirman - Tanah Abang

Bekasi/Cikarang - Kampung Bandan - Tanah Abang

Alternative route from Rangkasbitung

Rangkasbitung - Bogor

Rangkasbitung - Tanah Abang (Transit) - Kampung Bandan (Transit) - Jakarta Kota (Transit) - Bogor

Rangkasbitung - Bekasi/Cikarang

Rangkasbitung - Tanah Abang (Transit) - Kampung Bandan - Bekasi/Cikarang

Rangkasbitung - Tanah Abang (Transit) - Jatinegara - Bekasi/Cikarang

Rangkasbitung - Juanda