Since 5 October 2019, the Jakarta Soekarno–Hatta Airport Railink has all trains extended from Sudirman Baru (BNI City) to Manggarai – the new terminus at the future central station of Jakarta. I’d definitely want to try out this new extension, even if it means backtracking to Sudirman later.
As I was crossing the road to the Skytrain station, the Skytrain towards Airport Railway Station and Terminal 1 was arriving. Argh. 13 minutes wait it is.
New permanent signs are posted on the island platform of Terminal 2 Skytrain station clearly indicating the bi-directional single tracks. Hmm, does this mean automation of the designed pinched loop is shelved?
As expected, I was told not to photograph anything on the Skytrain after this picture was taken.
Heading to the Airport Railway Station.
Heading to the ticket counter to buy my ticket.
My ticket for my first ride on the Railink from Airport Railway Station to Manggarai.
The brochure for the new Railink services to Manggarai.
Hello Railink to Manggarai.
As I still had about 20 minutes to departure, I headed to the Waiting Lounge first.
Heading to the ticket gates once the train is ready for boarding.
Scanning my ticket at the ticket gate.
My Railink 537C538C from SHIA Airport Railway Station to Manggarai.
The departure board is also now clearly updated for the next trains departing.
Heading to Platform 3 to board my train.
The interior of the Railink.
The usual bay seat I’m picking.
Not sure why the information screens bother to flash the airlines using the Cargo Terminal.
New no feet on seats stickers are placed at the top of the window.
The legroom available on this bay of four seats.
Departing from Airport Railway Station.
Skirting around the airport perimeter.
The ungated level crossing has since become an underpass.
A Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330-300 in Retro livery.
A new highway coming up by the branch line.
Making a brief stop at Batu Ceper.
Merging onto the main line.
The TfJ route map with the outdated Bekasi destination of the Railink.
Passing by other Tangerang Line trains.
Entering Duri station.
Making a brief stop at Duri station.
Lots of people waiting for the Tangerang Line trains with the reduced KRL frequencies thanks to Railink.
Heading down the Loop Line.
Making a stop before entering Tanah Abang.
Entering Sudirman Baru (BNI City) Station.
Making a brief stop at Sudirman Baru (BNI City) Station.
Departing from Sudirman Baru (BNI City) Station.
No longer the final stop now.
Passing through Sudirman station.
Continuing down the Loop Line.
Passing through Mampang station.
Stopping outside Manggarai to allow a departing Railink out first.
Not much passengers to Manggarai, most still alighted at Sudirman Baru (BNI City).
Some shunting going on here too.
Lots of upcoming construction approaching Manggarai.
Pillars for viaducts closer to the station building are up already.
The Manggarai Bus Terminal ahead.
Entering Manggarai station.
Seems like the Railink tracks have platforms on both sides.
The Railink building on the Jl. DR. Saharjo I side, which is actually closer to the TransJakarta halt.
The upcoming Railink island platform which is not in use yet.
Disembarking from the… Oh.
Disembarking from the Railink.
The opposing platform is for the KCI Commuter Line towards Bogor.
Heading out to the transfer concourse.
The destination sign for Manggarai on the Railink train.
There is a single ticket machine to purchase THB tickets for the KRL.
The signs for the transfer concourse to the Commuter Line.
The Railink train at Manggarai.
Heading out to the transfer concourse to the Commuter Line.
The machine to tap in to the Commuter Line system.
Tapping my card where the tapping logo is pointing me to, with the security guard helping me to tap at the correct place.
Er… Some changes to the design of the tapping area seriously needs to be made, Commuter Line.
Crossing the tracks to the Commuter Line platform.
There are frequent changes to the platforms at Manggarai, so ask a security guard for assistance whenever required – they’ll be ready to tell you where to wait at.
Here, I waited for the next train to Sudirman to head to my hotel.
Overall, seems like a convenient transfer to the KRL Central Line, KRL Loop Line and KRL Bekasi Line, but that seems to be the main function of Manggarai. It isn’t as convenient of accessing Jakarta itself as compared to Sudirman Baru (BNI City) station, as another transfer is required to access popular spots such as Juanda and Jakarta Kota, and if heading to the latter, transferring at Duri to go via Kampung Bandan might be a faster choice even with the longer waiting time for the trains. Perhaps once Manggarai Sentral is completed, the Railink will prove to be more useful especially for long-distance passengers transferring between cities throughout Java to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.