Jakarta (9/12) - The Director of Railways Traffic and Transportation of the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) was present to accompany the Minister of Transportation in the Coordination Meeting for Preparation of Transportation Implementation during Christmas and New Year periods on Thursday (9/12). This coordination meeting was also attended by the Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Assistant to the National Police for Operations, as well as representatives of other ministries/agencies.

In his remarks, the Minister of Transportation advised that public communication and the implementation of the Christmas and New Year 2021 policy need to be carried out systematically and uniformly. "Mr. President advised that in preparation for  Christmas and New Year 2021, each ministry and institution can put aside sectoral egos so as not to confuse the public," the Minister of Transportation ordered.

In addition, the Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Prof. Wiku Adisasmito reminded all meeting participants to always be vigilant and do not be careless in facing Nataru 2021 so that there will be no spike in cases. "If we can maintain the current conditions until at least early February 2022, God willing, we will be able to pass the potential for wave 3, which we hope will not both happen," he continued. Prof. Wiku also said that the potential for community movements during the Nataru 2021 period needed to be watched out so that the next wave and cluster of COVID-19 would no longer appear.

In line with this, the Director of Railways Traffic and Transportation, Danto Restyawan, said that at the beginning of the pandemic, the volume of train passenger transportation had decreased significantly. Meanwhile, the increase in passenger volume began to occur in September 2021 when PPKM Leveling was implemented. "If the end of this year is not tightened, we predict an increase in the volume of train passengers from 30 thousand per day to 45 to 56 thousand per day on the peak dates of Christmas and New Year period," explained Danto.

Furthermore, Danto explained that the policy for operating the train during the Transportation Control period in the Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 Period (20 December 2021 – 2 January 2022) would be carried out in accordance with Circular Letter SE 97 of 2021 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of Domestic Travel by Rail Transportation During the 2019 Corona Virus Disease Pandemic. "Intercity and urban trains operate according to Gapeka with PPKM policies that apply in each region, restrictions on train transport capacity are also still in effect," he said.

In accordance with SE 97 of 2021, the travel requirements of people on Inter-City Trains are that passengers must be in good health accompanied by the use of the Care Protect Application and show the First Vaccine Card, negative results of Rapid Antigen Test whose samples are taken max 1 x 24 hours before departure. The maximum seating capacity provided is 80%.

While the travel requirements for people on urban trains are using the Care Protect Application or showing the first vaccine card, the maximum passenger capacity is 45% for KRL and 70% for local trains. In addition, to further tighten supervision, a Random Check Antigen will be implemented for commuter train passengers. The use of the Peduli Protect application or the first Vaccine Card is excluded for passengers under 12 years of age and for special medical purposes.

At the end of his report, Danto said that the Directorate General of Railways had carried out various preparations ahead of  Christmas and New Year implementation, such as ramp checks on Minimum Service Standards at Train Stations & Circuits for Java and Sumatra, facility ramp checks, and Inspection Trains. “A total of 143 stations and 104 trains have been ramp checked. To secure the train journey, disaster-prone locations have been identified, prepared Materials for Standby (AMUS), added extra officers for crossing guards and track inspectors, as well as alerting postal officers in vulnerable locations," concluded Danto. (wid/hja)