The Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) Cikarang Line is the collective term of the Bekasi Line and the 4-station extension from the former KRL terminus of Bekasi, offering through services from Jakarta Kota. Aside from this extension, the Bekasi Line and Cikarang Line has some trains running via Pasar Senen with the schedule change to relieve some slots on the elevated line via Gambir and to provide additional services for the Kampung Bandan – Jatinegara sector.
For this trip, I got a train from Jakarta Kota that was running via Pasar Senen and continuing onwards to Cikarang.
The conductor places the destination plates on the front and rear windows. Both “rare” destination boards of “Cikarang” and “via Pasar Senen” are placed side by side.
Trains for Cikarang depart averagely once every 1 to 1.5 hours, in stark contrast with Bekasi-bound trains which run every 5 to 10 minutes or so.
Boarding the ex-Tokyo Metro 6000 Series to Cikarang.
The interior of the the ex-Tokyo Metro 6000 Series with new fabric lining the seats.
The updated KCI route map with the Cikarang extension and the Bekasi Line/Cikarang Line running both via Gambir and via Pasar Senen.
As I boarded the train early, the on-trip cleaning staff were still mopping the train floors.
Departing from Jakarta Kota, passing by the old signal cabin.
Splitting off the line to Tanjung Priok and Manggarai to the shortcut line to the Loop Line.
Approaching the Loop Line before Kampung Bandan station.
Approaching Kampung Bandan station.
Passing through Pasar Senen station.
Southbound trains do not make a stop at Pasar Senen, but only pass through. To alight at Pasar Senen, you have to alight at Gang Sentiong and cross to the opposite platform catch a “northbound” train. Pasar Senen only serves trains bound for Kampung Bandan and beyond.
Approaching the Bekasi Line from Manggarai towards Jatinegara.
Approaching Jatinegara.
The upgrading of Jatinegara for the new approach to Manggarai Sentral is taking shape.
The new Cipinang Depot which will replace the current Jatinegara Locomotive Depot.
The Manggarai – Cikarang Double Double Track also looks set to operate soon. With this Double Double Track, KRL trains will take the existing set of double tracks, while long-distance trains will take the new set of double tracks, eliminating any delays for overtaking (or following behind a KRL train for that matter) and hopefully increase the frequency on the Bekasi and Cikarang Lines.
Making a brief stop at Bekasi, where more passengers boarded the train, presumably from earlier trains, to continue onwards to Cikarang.
Making a brief stop at Bekasi Timur station. All new stations come with high platforms to fit well with the ex-Japanese trains.
The scenery after Bekasi Timur.
Approaching Tambun station.
The temporary platforms of Tambun, with the upcoming station building still in progress.
A red signal held my train, which means only 1 thing.
A long-distance train was to overtake mine, and it was the Argo Parahyangan Premium.
This includes the Argo Parahyangan Priority.
The Premium coaches running behind the Priority.
Once the Argo Parahyangan Premium has cleared, my train continued on.
The scenery on the way to Cibitung.
Making a brief stop at Cibitung.
The scenery on the way to Cikarang.
Approaching Cikarang station.
The Cikarang station building is still taking shape, and the KRL takes a temporary platform beside it.
Passengers towards Bekasi and Jakarta are already waiting at the platform for this train which will be turning around.
The temporary platform of Cikarang.
The temporary platform leads to the actual platform and onward to the ticket concourse.
Seems that Cikarang station is in high demand despite this being a weekday morning. Hopefully services will be increased once the station is fully ready.
Overall, a useful extension out of Bekasi to serve a greater population of people connecting them conveniently to Jakarta. The high ridership demand on a weekday morning in the reverse flow does show quite strongly that the population does use the KRL to connect with outer towns.