The Palembang LRT is Indonesia’s first intra-city light rail transit system connecting Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport and Jakabaring Sports City via the city centre. The line was completed just in time for the 2018 Asian Games, also known as Jakarta Palembang 2018, and is now a main mode of public transport for the people of Palembang.
The Palembang LRT is also the new icon of Palembang aside from the Ampera Bridge, with the line spanning throughout the main parts of the city. This post will be about the journey between two intermediate stations of the Palembang LRT.
RailTravel Station took this journey to experience the Palembang LRT and to produce and share original content with readers of RailTravel Station. RailTravel Station does not believe that copying and pasting articles benefit RailTravel Station or its readers.
The Palembang LRT viaducts blend in well with the Ampera Bridge, with a similar colour scheme and style used to complement the scenic Musi River crossing.
The cross-river portion of the LRT viaducts run parallel to the existing road bridge, with the iconic red colour style applied onto the viaducts as well.
Access up to Ampera LRT Station is by this set of stairs.
The ramp and elevator is still under construction at the time of my visit.
The set of stairs take a weird route to ascend up to the station, from under the station rather than directly to the shop lots the bridge crosses to.
New Thyssenkrupp escalators are seen below the station.
The bridge should have really continued straight down instead of turning back to underneath the station though.
The stations of the Palembang LRT all lok rather similar to one another in terms of aesthetics and layout.
Tickets can be purchased in cash from the ticket counter, or just tap into the system with an E-Money card.
On the Palembang LRT, the ticket counters sell BSB Cash cards issued by Bank Sumsel Babel.
This time, I opted to purchase a paper ticket from the counter to feel the difference in the process.
Heading to the fare gate to enter the waiting room.
Instead of tapping on the contactless card reader, the paper ticket is read through the QR code scanner below. The response time is similar to paying with contactless.
The concourse of the station is doubled up as a waiting room, which makes the process similr to boarding a long-distance PT KAI train instead, rather than a KRL.
Seats are available in the “waiting room”.
Passengers may only ascend to the platform 5 minutes before the arrival of the train.
Once announcements are made, passengers are moved to the platform.
Ampera LRT Station is located right by Ampera Bridge.
The platform of Ampera LRT Station.
The Palembang LRT train takes the viaduct across the Musi River, parallel to the iconic Ampera Bridge.
The LRT train at Ampera, with many passengers boarding and alighting here.
Departing from Ampera LRT Station.
The train was pretty crowded for a new system. However, I think that having a third door in the middle would help with the in-car congestion problem as it is rather far for passengers to move in towards the centre of the car.
Turning towards the malls at Charitas junction.
Approaching Bumi Sriwijaya LRT Station with Palembang Icon Mall in front.
Passing by Arista Hotel. Probably useful for trainspotting but the rates are a bit too high for me.
Disembarking from the train, with lots of other passengers as well. At the time of my visit, this was the last stop of the train before it heads to the airport area of Asrama Haji and Bandara LRT Stations.
Two LRT trains pass each other at Bumi Sriwijaya station.
Heading down the stairs from the platform.
Seems to be a lot more seating over at Bumi Sriwijaya station for waiting passengers.
Heading out of the station.
Scanning my paper ticket at the fare gates to exit the station. Once the gate is unlocked, the paper ticket may be thrown away or kept as a souvenir (or even for claims as a receipt) – it is not retained by the machine.
The exit of Bumi Sriwijaya LRT Station has bi-directional escalators for easy access to the station. The elevator is still in the process of construction.
The exit leads to a sheltered linkway under construction to the Palembang Icon Mall.
The station is located by a Grab stand for passengers to wait for a GrabBike, GrabCar or to pick up a future GrabCycle bicycle.
Overall, the Palembang LRT is a comfortable mode of intra-city transport in Palembang. However, I wish that the frequency would be increased soon along with the maximum speed of the train for it to provide a truly efficient mode of transport in the city.
RailTravel Station took this journey to experience the Palembang LRT and to produce and share original content with readers of RailTravel Station. RailTravel Station does not believe that copying and pasting articles benefit RailTravel Station or its readers.
hi, would you happen to know if all the stations are fully operational or is it only some? I’m planning to stay at a hotel near Cinde station.
All stations are now operational.