KA Argo Cheribon 23F from Cirebon to Jakarta Gambir by Train in Executive Class (K1 2016 New Image with 2019 seats)
After a short afternoon out in Cirebon, it’s time to head back to Jakarta. Argo Cheribon is a series of trains operating between Jakarta Gambir and Cirebon, with some trains serving onwards to Tegal. I booked Argo Cheribon 23F for an after-lunch departure to get me back into Jakarta by evening before sunset.
Cirebon Railway Station
The façade of Cirebon Railway Station.
Heading into Cirebon Railway Station.
Cirebon Railway Station still has a classic Dutch look, designed by Dutch architect Pieter Adriaan Jacobus Moojen.
The station hall is compact, which makes it easy for navigation.
Check-in
Heading to the check-in kiosks to get my boarding pass for my Argo Cheribon 23F train.
Check-in is simple with just keying in my PNR and ticking my name.
The boarding pass gets printed by the thermal printer just beside the screen.
My boarding pass for my Argo Cheribon 23F train from Cirebon to Jakarta Gambir. Despite having registered my vaccination information on PeduliLindungi already, my vaccination status still remains as unvaccinated. I’m not sure if this problem is for all foreigners.
Ticket Checking
I was more than an hour early for my train, but I was checked in to the platform with no questions asked. I think the staff also knew when he saw me with a camera.
My vaccination problem was easily solved by showing my vaccination certificate at ticket checking as my boarding pass was scanned by the staff.
Vaccination is no longer required to travel on KAI trains.
Cirebon Railway Station is easily navigable with just 1 side of facilities, with the rest being platforms and tracks.
This original low platform is barricaded up facing the tracks, with access by crossing the tracks to individual high platforms with ramps.
There is also an air-conditioned waiting room for passengers who are early just like me. Announcements are also broadcasted in this air-conditioned waiting room.
The Taksaka for Jakarta Gambir arrived and departed first. This would have costed me a much higher fare back to Jakarta Gambir if I had pre-purchased it, as the special go-show section fare was only available 2 hours before departure, subject to availability. To not risk not being able to return to Jakarta, I booked the Argo Cheribon 23F.
Boarding for the Argo Cheribon 23F was called upon departure of Taksaka.
Crossing the path on the tracks over to Platform 5.
The train name of Argo Cheribon was displayed on the sign pointing to Platform 5.
The pavement continued between the tracks to reach out to Platforms 5 and 6.
Crossing Track 6 to access the island platform of Platforms 5 and 6.
No worries about accessibility as the path is quite smooth with a ramp up to the high platforms.
The closest I can legally get to the depot too.
Heading up to the high platform.
The rake of my Argo Cheribon 23F at Platform 5.
A Reska staff welcomes all passengers to the Argo Cheribon 23F at the first door.
CC 206 13 34 was standing by at the depot for my Argo Cheribon 23F.
K1 2016 New Image Executive Class
One of the K1 2016 New Image Executive Class coaches on this rake still featured the original 2016 interior.
While this was the most comfortable in 2016, which I took a ride on Gajayana just for this revolutionary seat at that time, passenger comfort with KAI has since evolved leaps and bounds rapidly in recent years.
The route map of the Argo Cheribon 23F and 26A pair this rake serves. While originating in Cirebon, this rake would go on to Tegal later at night.
Squat and sitting toilets are available on board the K1 2016 New Image Executive Class coach.
My booked coach, however, has the seat upholstery changed to the 2019 version with a thicker seat padding, side headrests, and the new blue-beige covering.
The seat frame remains as the 2016 version, but that’s a smart reuse.
My booked seat at 8A. No worries about getting a full window or facing forward as each row comes with 1 window on board Executive Class and all seats can rotate to face the direction of travel. However, the side of the coach may flip over randomly and row numbers may not be in the same sequence as neighbouring coaches, and the A and D sides may not guarantee being on the left or right of the train.
The legroom available on board Executive Class.
A spring footrest is also provided.
A side table and 2 2-pin power sockets are available by the window seat.
A flip-out table is located in the outer armrests.
A set of centralised televisions and 2 individual screens are mounted in the middle and ends of the coach respectively for entertainment.
Reading lights are available above the seats under the overhead luggage racks.
Along with the screen at the ends of the coach, an LED board shows the seat columns, current station, time, and coach number. A plate on the side also shows the conductor’s photo, name, and phone number.
The number plate of my K1 0 16 08. K1 stands for Executive Class, 0 stands for non-motorised, 16 represents the year of manufacture (2016) and 08 is the number in the series of coaches.
The name plate of the KA Argo Cheribon on the side of selected coaches.
CC 206 13 93 leads my Argo Cheribon 23F train from Cirebon to Jakarta Gambir.
My Argo Cheribon 23F train departed from Cirebon on time at 1.45pm.
Heading out of Cirebon Railway Station.
My coach was almost fully seated upon departure from Cirebon.
Heading along plantations.
Trolley Service
The Reska staff then came around to sell food and drinks from the trolley, and I decided to get lunch at my seat.
For lunch, I ordered a Nasi Ayam Geprek (Smashed Chicken with Rice) and a Cappucino.
For the Nasi Ayam Geprek, only the white rice was wrapped in paper, with the chicken and fried tofu already presented.
The Ayam Geprek had sambal already placed on top, but it was overall soggy due to the microwaving.
The Cappucino had a pack of chocolate powder to sprinkle on top.
Approaching Jatibarang Railway Station.
Jatibarang Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Jatibarang Railway Station.
I took a short walk in the train during the stop at Jatibarang Railway Station.
Kereta Makan (Restaurant Car)
A restaurant car or kereta makan is attached on the Argo Cheribon, where my lunch came from.
A mushola is also available on board the kereta makan for Muslim prayers.
K3 2016 New Image Economy Class
The other half of the train is made up of K3 2016 New Image Economy Class coaches, which were fully seated too.
Departing from Jatibarang Railway Station.
Heading back to my seat.
KAI Hygiene Kit
Upon departure from Jatibarang Railway Station, a Reska staff came round to distribute hygiene kits to all passengers.
The KAI hygiene kit consisted of a resealable pouch with a KAI-branded N95/FFP2 mask and a packet of wet tissue.
Haurgeulis Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Haurgeulis Railway Station.
Passing by burnt disused coaches and KRL train sets stacked at Cikaum Railway Station.
Passing by disused KRL train sets and coaches stacked at Pasir Bungur Railway Station.
Passing through Pasir Bungur Railway Station.
Meeting with western line from Bandung before Cikampek Railway Station.
Passing through Cikampek Railway Station.
Passing through Cikampek Railway Station, the start of the KAI Commuter Line Cikampek.
Crossing over the Bekasi River.
Approaching Bekasi Railway Station.
Bekasi Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Bekasi Railway Station. While doors to the neighbouring KRL train is opened, a cross-platform transfer cannot be made as alighting passengers have not tapped into the system, which will cause problems or penalties when exiting the KAI Commuter system.
Departing from Bekasi Railway Station.
Heading along the double-double track (DDT).
Passing by Jatinegara Busway Halt.
Jatinegara Railway Station
Approaching Jatinegara Railway Station.
Making a brief stop at Jatinegara Railway Station. Passengers who wish to continue their journey by KAI Commuter can alight here for an interchange. No interchange to KAI Commuter is provided at Jakarta Gambir Railway Station as KAI Commuter trains only pass through the station.
Departing from Jatinegara Railway Station.
Passing through the new Matraman Railway Station.
Merging with the Bogor line before Manggarai.
Most KRL trains on the Bogor line now take the elevated viaducts to the new elevated platforms at Manggarai Railway Station.
Passing through Manggarai Railway Station on the ground level.
Construction on the remaining half of Manggarai Sentral Railway Station is under way.
The KAI Commuter Line Cikarang towards Sudirman and Kampung Bandan splits off after Manggarai.
Ascending up to the elevated sector.
The new elevated viaducts for the KAI Commuter Line Bogor merges with the existing elevated viaducts after Manggarai.
Approaching Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.
Jakarta Gambir Railway Station
My Argo Cheribon 23F train arrived at Jakarta Gambir Railway Station at 4.58pm – 3 minutes delayed.
Decoupling was done really fast and I could not get to the front of the train in time for a photo.
The station sign of Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.
CC 206 13 34 with MONAS at Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.
This rake will now form the next Argo Cheribon 26A to Cirebon and Tegal.
Heading down the stairs to exit from the platform.
Heading down the escalator to exit from the concourse level.
Heading out to the exit.
The arrival hall of Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.
Antigen tests for COVID-19 were still offered at stations at the time of my train ride for unvaccinated passengers who wish to travel on KAI trains.
Vaccination or tests are no longer required for travel on KAI trains.
Heading out of Jakarta Gambir Railway Station on to Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur to transfer to the TransJakarta busway.
Gambir 1 Busway Halt
From here, I headed into Gambir 1 Busway Halt to continue my journey with TransJakarta Corridor 2.
Conclusion
My Argo Cheribon 23F offered more stops from Cirebon to Jakarta Gambir allowing for easier boarding and drop-off in the outskirts of Cirebon and Jakarta, and more transfer opportunities with KAI Commuter. Being in Executive Class on this crowded train also offered more comfort and personal space.