Train services halted due to Jakarta flooding

JAKARTA. Massive floods that have inundated Jakarta have also disrupted train services in the capital since early Thursday.

Trains serving the Bogor-Jakarta route, for example, were forced to stop at the Pasar Minggu station, while trains plying other routes all had to make a final stop at the Manggarai station, PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek spokeswoman Eva Chairunisa said.

"We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused by the temporary halt of train operations," she said.

Transjakarta buses also canceled operations today.

"All of our corridors have stopped operating due to flooding. We apologize for any inconvenience," Transjakarta busway operator BLUTransjakarta announced via its Twitter account.

Many commuters relying on the train services were left with no option but to stay at some train stations due to the floods paralyzing the traffic throughout the city. Some Jakartans have also opted to work from home.

Ari, a 45-year-old Bogor resident, for example, said that he was frustrated that he could not get to his place of work in Gondangdia, Depok, as the train that he took had to stop at the Manggarai station.

"I don't know what to do, I'm trying to find either Metromini public buses or an ojek [motorcycle taxis] but they say they can't wade through the floods," he said. "This is the first time [this has happened] in my commuting experience. Maybe I'll just board any available train that can get me out of here, I have to work."

Astrid Isnawati, who lives in Tebet, South Jakarta and works in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, said that she had no other option but to stay at home today.

"Transjakarta buses aren’t operating and there are no taxis available as well. Two days ago, I was trapped for hours in a bus – I was literally crying out of stress. I don't want that to happen again today, so I choose to stay and work from home," she said.

Aprilia, an employee of an Internet company in Senayan, South Jakarta, said that her company had urged all employees to work from home.

"Employees who have already arrived at the office were asked to go home," she said. (Hans Nicholas Jong, Sita W. Dewi/ The Jakarta Post)