KA Argo Parahyangan 41 from Bandung to Jakarta Gambir by Train in Executive Class (K1 2018 Stainless Steel)
Argo Parahyangan is a series of trains operating between Bandung and Jakarta Gambir and Bandung, with some trains serving onwards to Kiaracondong. Heading back to Jakarta, I caught Argo Parahyangan 41 for the after-lunch departure timing, getting me into Jakarta at sunset.
Bandung Railway Station
The north entrance of Bandung Railway Station to the north station building for long-distance trains.
Heading into Bandung Railway Station north station building.
There is a footpath by the side of the car park in front of Bandung Railway Station north station building.
The façade of Bandung Railway Station north station building.
Heading into Bandung Railway Station north station building.
The departure hall of Bandung Railway Station north station building for long-distance trains.
The ticket availability screen was still showing tickets for August 2022 when it was already September 2022.
Check-in
Heading to the check-in kiosks to get my boarding pass for my Argo Parahyangan 41 train.
My boarding pass for my Argo Parahyangan 41 train from Bandung 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
Heading to the entrance of the departure area for ticket checking.
My vaccination problem was easily solved by showing my vaccination certificate at ticket checking as my boarding pass was scanned by the staff. This took some additional seconds.
Vaccination is no longer required to travel on KAI trains.
The old path to the platforms was just straight ahead here, but it looks like it’s in the process of being removed.
My Argo Parahyangan 41 was departing from Platform 5. Interestingly, my Argo Parahyangan 41 is labelled here as 41B.
Heading to the new Skybridge to cross the tracks.
Heading up the travellator to the Skybridge.
Heading along the Skybridge to Platform 5.
A Reska staff was already waiting on the Skybridge to welcome passengers on board the Argo Parahyangan 41.
A sign for the Argo Parahyangan and departure time of 3.15pm was also displayed in front of the travellator to Platform 5.
Heading down the travellator to Platform 5.
The end of the Argo Parahyangan 41 rake as seen from the Skybridge.
The wide island platform of Platforms 4 and 5.
The destination plate of the Argo Parahyangan 41.
K1 2018 Stainless Steel Executive Class
Boarding my booked coach at Eksekutif 3.
The number plate of my K1 0 18 01. K1 stands for Executive Class, 0 stands for non-motorised, 18 represents the year of manufacture (2018) and 01 is the number in the series of coaches. Mine is the very first Eksekutif Stainless Steel coach.
The interior of my K1 2018 Stainless Steel Executive Class coach.
My booked seat at 7D. 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.
A single seat is available at both ends of the coach.
The legroom available on board Executive Class.
A retractable footrest is also provided. Pull down the footrest to lower it, and step on the side lever to retract.
A flip-out table is located in the outer armrests.
Reading lights are available above the seats below the overhead luggage racks.
Toilets on both sides of the coach are of sitting type.
No chance of a front train shot here as the length of the Argo Parahyangan 41 exceeds the platform.
The route map of Argo Parahyangan 41B and 42B. Interestingly, the B suffix remains, despite my booking and ticket only reflecting the train number as 41.
Kereta Makan (Restaurant Car)
A restaurant car or kereta makan is attached on the Argo Parahyangan Tambahan.
Staff are preparing food and drinks for sale even before departure.
A mushola is also available on board the kereta makan for Muslim prayers.
K3 2018 Stainless Steel Economy Class
The other half of the train is made up of K3 2018 Stainless Steel Economy Class coaches.
The interior of the K3 2018 Stainless Steel Economy Class coach.
The K3 2018 Stainless Steel Economy Class seats are identical to the K3 2017 Premium coaches with seats that are similar to the K3 2016 New Image but additionally recline.
Personally, I find that this upgrade is a disaster, that the thin seats with less-than-ideal legroom can now be reclined, which means the person in front of me can recline into my legroom. However, this recline option seems to be popular among most travellers, with a perception that the gap between Ekonomi and Eksekutif is getting closer.
In addition to the recline option, non-subsidised Economy Class fares have also noticeably increased along with the generation of Economy Class coach provided on the respective trains.
My Argo Parahyangan 41 departed from Bandung Railway Station on time at 3.15pm.
Passing under Pasirkaliki Bridge.
Crossing the many crossovers at Bandung.
Passing by Bandung Train Depot.
Cimahi Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Cimahi Railway Station. This is the only scheduled stop of the Argo Parahyangan 41, and it will be a non-stop journey to Jakarta Gambir from here on.
Ticket Checking
The conductor started his ticket checks on his phone. There is no need to produce tickets for ticket checking as reserved seats and passenger details are all displayed on the conductor’s phone.
Passing under the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail viaduct.
Passing through Padaralang Railway Station.
The transit platforms for the KA Feeder Padalarang-Bandung are being built to feed passengers from the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail at Padaralang HSR Station onwards to Bandung Railway Station by regular trains.
Passing by the junction to Cipatat, Cianjur, and Sukabumi. The section between Padaralang and Cipatat has yet to be reactivated.
KAI Hygiene Kit
After tickets have been checked, 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.
Crossing over the Cibisoro Bridge.
Curving along the hilly sections on this line.
Great views from above.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail will simply be zooming straight past and through this area in the near future.
Crossing over the Cikubang Bridge.
Passing by the Purbaleunyi Toll Road.
Passing by another Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail viaduct in between 2 tunnels.
Trolley Service
The Reska staff came around to sell food and drinks from the trolley.
Passing through Cikadongdong Railway Station.
Crossing over the Cisomang Bridge.
Passing under the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail viaduct.
Passing through Purwakarta Railway Station.
Passing under Cikampek Flyover.
Some trainspotters were on standby at Cikampek to spot my Argo Parahyangan 41.
Merging onto the northern railway line before Cikampek Railway Station.
Passing through Cikampek Railway Station.
Passing through Karawang Railway Station, undergoing some upgrades.
Crossing over the Citarum River.
Passing through Kedunggedeh Railway Station.
Heading on the double-double track (DDT) before Cikarang Railway Station.
Passing through Cikarang Railway Station on the double-double track (DDT).
Passing through Jatinegara Railway Station. Most if not all long-distance trains used to stop at Jatinegara, but not any more.
Passing through the new Matraman Railway Station.
Merging with the Bogor line before Manggarai Railway Station.
Passing through Manggarai Railway Station on the ground level.
Crossing over the Ciliwung River.
Merging with the new elevated viaduct for Commuterline trains to the elevated platforms at the new Manggarai Railway Station.
Approaching Jakarta Gambir Railway Station with the sight of MONAS.
Jakarta Gambir Railway Station
My Argo Parahyangan 41 arrived at Jakarta Gambir Railway Station at 5.58pm – 3 minutes delayed.
The evening view of MONAS from the platforms at Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.
The locomotive was already decoupled from the rake when I got to the front.
The cleaning crew immediately started the cleaning process and to turn the seats around to form the next train back to Bandung.
Just about half an hour to the next departure.
Heading down the stairs to the concourse.
Heading down to the exit on the ground floor.
The arrival hall at Jakarta Gambir Railway Station.
Conclusion
My Argo Parahyangan 41 offered an almost non-stop journey from Bandung to Jakarta Gambir making only 1 stop at Cimahi, with a scheduled travel time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. I was surprised at this 1-stop journey as I had thought that only the Argo Parahyangan Excellence provided such a direct service (with 0 stops in between), but I didn’t know that there were such 1-stop trains on regularly-named Argo Parahyangan trains now. This provided a fast journey for sure, but was a bit boring as a railway fan with such a speedy journey with no variety of train operations.