KAI Commuter Line Bogor from Jakarta Kota to Bogor by Train

KAI Commuter Line Bogor is the most trunk and frequent route in the KAI Commuter Jabodetabek network, running a north-south route from Jakarta Kota in Kota Tua or Old Batavia, to Bogor, a city with more than 1 million inhabitants, and home to the Istana Bogor, the residence of the seventh and current president of Indonesia Joko Widodo. With the line heavily used by frequent commuter trains, there is no direct long-distance train from Jakarta to Sukabumi or onwards, and a change at Bogor is necessary to continue on the line with locomotive-hauled trains. For a joyride to Sukabumi, I started my journey from Jakarta Kota with KAI Commuter Line Bogor.

Kota TransJakarta Busway Halt 

The new Kota TransJakarta Busway Halt is located to the north beside Jakarta Kota Railway Station, offering an easy transfer between the TransJakarta Busway and the KAI Commuter Line.

Jakarta Kota Railway Station

The façade of Jakarta Kota Railway Station on the northern side.

The main façade of Jakarta Kota Railway Station on the eastern side.

This newly-reinstated square in front of Jakarta Kota Railway Station on the northern side will be the future interchange path to the MRT Jakarta Phase 2 Kota MRT Station.

Heading into Jakarta Kota Railway Station.

The ticketing hall of Jakarta Kota Railway Station retains the 1929 rebuilt design with a combination of western modern structures and techniques combined with local traditional forms.

The updated system map of the KAI Commuter Line Jabodetabek and timetables of the KAI Commuter Lines Bogor and Tanjung Priok.

The timetables are designed quite Japanese-like, which to me it’s easy and quick to read to know where each train is departing for.

Being an off-peak period, there are only about 6 trains per hour from Jakarta Kota to Bogor. During the morning peak, there are up to 13 trains per hour with varying destinations.

Many countries in the world have much to learn from KAI Commuter on how to provide high-demand and high-frequency commuter trains.

Information of the design and designer of Jakarta Kota Railway Station is displayed on an acrylic panel in the ticket hall.

Heading to the ticket gates to tap in to the KAI Commuter system.

I wasn’t in too much of a hurry, so I picked the next departing train in 10 minutes instead of the immediately-departing Tokyo Metro 6000 as it was only 10 cars long. The next departing train was a JR 205 Series which was 12 cars long, offering me hopefully more space along the way.

The interior of the JR 205 Series Musashino Line train which has been reformed into 12-car sets. These were originally 6-car sets on the Musashino Line in Tokyo, Japan.

Longitudinal padded seats are provided for high-capacity loading, but also offer comfort, and it did not feel too uncomfortable for long journeys. As this train set is relatively new to Indonesia, the original seat covers from Japan are retained since it’s still in good condition.

Overhead luggage racks are available to store bulky items.

The priority area in Japan is also retained by KAI Commuter and used with its original form.

The original Japanese priority seat covers are also retained, with KAI Commuter’s own signs added.

The priority area is marked additionally with yellow handgrips.

The 12-car train is too long for the platforms at Jakarta Kota Railway Station, but the lines fit.

I started my journey from Jakarta Kota to not only joyride on the full route of the KAI Commuter Line Bogor, but also to get a seat in advance for this end-to-end journey.

Tokyo Metro 05 Series were operating on the KAI Commuter Line Tanjung Priok during my period of travel.

JR 205 Series Musashino Line sets can easily be identified with the yellow strip running along the height of the train doors.

Departing from Jakarta Kota Railway Station.

The network map of the KAI Commuter Jabodetabek.

The KAI Commuter Line Bogor stops at all stations en route, except for Gambir.

Juanda Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Juanda, a key interchange with the TransJakarta Busway and adjacent to Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the 9th largest mosque in the world in terms of worshipper capacity.

Sound barriers are placed beside the tracks by Istiqlal Mosque.

Passing through Jakarta Gambir Railway Station. Jakarta Gambir Railway Station is only served by long-distance trains.

Heading onto the new elevated line to the new elevated platforms at Manggarai Railway Station.

Entering Manggarai Railway Station.

Manggarai Railway Station

Entering the new elevated platforms at Manggarai Railway Station.

A lot more passengers boarded at Manggarai Railway Station.

The train was fully seated at Manggarai Railway Station, with some passengers having to stand.

Departing from the new elevated platforms at Manggarai Railway Station.

Heading back on the ground level tracks.

Depok Railway Station is another major station along the line.

The branch line to Nambo branches off after Citayam Railway Station.

On-train cleaning started even before the train arrived at Bogor.

Entering Bogor Railway Station.

The KAI Commuter Line Bogor journey from Jakarta Kota to Bogor takes 1 hour and 34 minutes.

Platforms at Bogor Railway Station have been raised to fit the height of the trains.

The end women-only cars can be accessed at the terminals as a walkthrough out of the train.

The very-Japanese cab still retains its original look.

My BUD51 set at Bogor Railway Station.

The original Japanese car number has been retained with the Japanese wording removed, as a checksum for the new local Indonesian identification car number of K1 1 88 180.

The station sign of Bogor Railway Station.

The line to Sukabumi continues ahead, where I will be heading to shortly.

Heading out of Bogor Railway Station for a short walk around the station vicinity.

The KAI Commuter Line fare from Jakarta Kota to Bogor costs Rp 6.000.

Heading out of the wide station hall of Bogor Railway Station facing the main Jalan Kapten Muslihat.

Much of the roadside has been fenced up in front of the station.

The façade of Bogor Railway Station at the Jalan Kapten Muslihat exit.

Crossing the railway crossing south of Bogor Railway Station.

The path doesn’t look like it’s in good condition but the railway tracks look ok.

Looking back at Bogor Railway Station.

The railway tracks are fenced up when there is no train crossing the road.

Looking across the road to Bogor Paledang Railway Station.

Continuing along the fenced walkway to Alun-Alun Kota Bogor.

Alun-Alun Kota Bogor is a park just outside Bogor Railway Station.

Onward travel in Bogor by Angkot is available at Alun-Alun Kota Bogor.

Conclusion

The KAI Commuter Line Bogor is a convenient and fast way to travel from Jakarta Kota to Bogor with a geographically straight north-south route and no traffic jams. Trains are frequent enough to not need to refer to a timetable for travel. Fares are also cheap at only Rp 6.000 (~S$0.53/~RM1.79) for a distance of 54.8 kilometers.