I used to live in the city next to Jakarta, when I was in
high school I went to Jakarta to get better Education, used to commuting from
Bekasi to Jakarta by commuter line (KRL/KRD) I have tried that before its being
so systematic now. After finished high school then I moved to Semarang, no
traffic except you wanna go to downtown. Of course I go back to my hometown
once in a while, and I swear to God I wont work in Jakarta, I hate the traffic.
But surprise, I got my first job in Jakarta. Means I have to commute from
Bekasi to Jakarta every single day, Monday to Friday at rush hour if I want to
reach home soon.
At the first month of job it was okay, my body is okay
nothing is happen. But once the LRT construction happen, man traffic is crazy. I
stood for 2-3hrs straight from the transJ shelter to my office shelter. I cant
keep up with it, woke up at 5 then at 6 I have to be in shelter so I wont stuck
in traffic jam that bad. I gave up at my third or fourth month, then I moved to
Commuter line.
Thought it was better with commuter line (CL), it does
faster but its just like you put so much people in bunker with less oxygen (use
air con), and as if its ready to explode once the automatic door open. I don’t being
hyperbole about it. I took CL at rush hours from Bekasi then transit at
Manggarai station, usually took around 45 minutes, not included signal problem,
or waiting for “KAJJ” (Kereta api jarak jauh), or any problem. 1.5hrs total
from Bekasi to Cawang. Wasn’t pleasant way to start the day. Oh I have to move
to another platform and running sometimes.
The condition at Manggarai Station at rush hours at Bekasi Platform
When I came back from office to home, its worse. I finished
at 5.30pm, but I wait at office until 6.30pm, just make it less people at
station (if its make sense) because people who wants to go to Bekasi is twice
bigger than any other station, and the CL is not that much so we have to wait
standing in platform just to wait and get in to our CL (kadang sampai 4 banjar L) . we are all tired,
and people doesn’t want to give a shit around them, that’s what make them
apathy, they don’t want to give elderly sit, they put some music on, covered
with mask and pashmina, and sleep ( I don’t know how can they sleep in this
situation, probably they just pretending, idk ), they don’t talk to each other,
they don’t want to help others with their luggage. I don’t like it.
Inside the woman's train to Bekasi at rush hour
I am, super tired. I bet all of you too, who is commuting
from your place to Jakarta. They said Jakarta is everyone dream, Jakarta is
everything. And bla bla bla about Jakarta. No I am not blaming you for working
in Jakarta, but Jakarta is not healthiest place to work. Traffic jam is
everywhere, and every time. Not only in rush hours. You guys spending most of
your time at the road from home to office. Stuck for hours, or just like me
stuck in CL with loads of arrogant and apathy people.
The traffic, the people, makes me less productive in work. I
often feel so exhausted, home is just place for sleep, Iam too tired to
accompany mom watching tv, iam too tired to play with my nephew. I don’t have a
time for my family. I don’t have time for myself, probably I cant manage my
time well. But the longer I am in Jakarta, the more toxic that I get. I think
this is the time I say goodbye and see you in better time, Jakarta.