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Stations, stops and superlatives: Public transport destinations in Jakarta worth exploring
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The Jakarta Kota Station in Central Jakarta for the Commuter Line. (Courtesy of Syelanita)
W
hile being stuck in a car for hours on end is perhaps a quintessential part of the Jakarta experience, few things will allow you to truly get to know the city better than taking public transportation around the “Big Durian”.
But some transit stations in Jakarta are destinations in and of themselves. In honor of Jakarta’s anniversary today, we’ve highlighted here our top picks from the city’s most iconic stops, and why.
Most historically significant: Jakarta Kota Station
Commuter Line (KRL)
To soak up history and immerse yourself in the city’s culture, look no further than a colonial building that has stood the ravages of time.
Located in the Kota Tua (Old City) district of Central Jakarta, the structure housing Jakarta Kota Station was built in 1929 to replace Batavia Zuid (South Batavia) Station.
From within its walls reflecting the Dutch modernist styleNieuwe Zakelijkheid (New Objectivity), visitors can reflect on the storied brainchild of architect Frans Johan LouwrensGhijsels while waiting for a Commuter Line train bound for Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta or Bogor in West Java, or an intercity train headed to Kutoarjo, Central Java.
Read also: Five surprisingly delicious leaves you can find in the wilds of West Java
Most likely to satisfy foodies: Blok M Station
Jakarta MRT, Transjakarta BRT
If there is one skill every foodie should have, it’s how to spot hidden gems in the city. And foodies who regularly ride theJakarta MRT or the Transjakarta BRT know that getting off at Blok M Station will lead them to one of Jakarta’s best-kept secrets: a Japanese-inspired paradise where one plate can keep you full from 9 to 5 without costing an arm and a leg, or worse, a kidney.
Though the station is directly connected to Blok M Plaza, a short walk will bring you to Jakarta’s very own Little Tokyo, named for its concentration of Japanese restaurants, bars and cafés.
Most likely to make you shiver: Manggarai Station
Commuter Line
Jakartans who grew up in the ‘90s may recall an urban legend about the phantom trains of Manggarai Station, which was popular enough to warrant the release of two unrelated horror movies in 2008: Kereta Hantu Manggarai (Manggarai ghost train) and Kereta Setan Manggarai (Manggarai demon train).
According to legend, the trains would operate on their own or a station worker would encounter a confused passenger, long after the last train had gone.
Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, we think the true horrors occur during rush hour. From crowds a la Train to Busanrushing cars and small children falling between the platform gaps to an unfortunate potty emergency, there are enough real scares at Manggarai Station to make you shiver.
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Most likely to keep you fit: Dukuh Atas Station
Transit hub
Still fairly new, Dukuh Atas Station is a model of Jakarta’s multimodal transport vision. From there, you can access the Commuter Line, the Jakarta MRT and LRT, the Soekarno-HattaAirport Raillink as well as the Transjakarta BRT, all within a kilometer.
But that also means a very long walk, whether passing through the Dukuh Atas multipurpose pedestrian bridge (JPM) or “skywalk” connecting the KRL with the LRT, or alongrevitalized sidewalks to reach the MRT and airport trainservices.
Bustling with commuters and travelers from all regions, be it for leisure or business, a visit here requires the right shoes andawareness of your belongings. Be prepared for long walks that can feel liminal, especially over slippery floors.
Most likely to satisfy people watchers: Bundaran HI Astra Station
Transjakarta BRT
It’s said each neighborhood has a unique identity, and we’re inclined to believe that this also applies to each transit stop, shelter or station.
For those that often float through the Transjakarta station at Bundaran HI, we’ve invented a little spotting game for you: How many people are carrying shopping bags? How many hop off the bus to take a selfie? And how many tourists waltzconfusedly in and out of the station?
One of the benefits of taking public transportation is the crowdsof humanity. If you’re a writer like us, looking for glimpses of untold stories in Jakarta, spending a day immersing with Jakartans at Bundaran HI Astra will surely leave you with a lot of inspiration.
The short steps to the surrounding shopping malls are just an added bonus after what is sure to be a tiring day of people watching.
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This article is part of The Weekender, which comes out on the Saturday edition of The Jakarta Post. It offers a variety of lifestyle and culture articles aimed at enriching your reading experience. Subscribe here to get access to the Saturday edition and all other premium content from the Post.
