Jakarta, by Train

photo from JakartaByTrain website

Have I told you I am an avid user of commuter-line train?

I use commuter-line almost every day to and from work, and sometimes on the weekend too. For people like me who live faaaar faaaaar awaaaay from the downtown, commuter-line is the best transportation mode I could find. It’s cheap, free from horrible traffic jam and way faster than any other mass transportation. It’s also almost as comfy as our private car. The only bad things about it is its lack of rail track that make the trains have to wait in line for the other train comes first every now and then.

So anyway, due to the need for update with commuter-line track info and condition, I follow some twitter account about commuter-line. Either the official one from PT KCJ or the ones that made by the commuter-line user communities. One of the accounts I followed is @JakartabyTrain.

Unlike the other accounts, @JakartabyTrain (which apparently has a website, too) not only informs about the lines traffic or the train conditions, but more to let us know about tourism destinations in Greater Jakarta Area nearby the commuter-line station. As stated in its website, it’s created to help everyone that wants to explore Greater Jakarta without worrying about the famous Jakarta’s traffic. While at the same time, also helps in reducing the usage of private transportation.

I do fall in love with @JakartabyTrain website, because, it’s not only giving us information about common tourism destinations such as museums, shops and malls, or restaurants but also informs about embassy locations, monument and statues, upcoming events, almost anything! It tells us about how to get there by train- e.g. which line we should take, how much time we need to walk from the nearest station (approximately less than 30 minutes walk to each destinations) and also the history behind the places.

The last part is what I like the most :D Do pardon my fetish to history and old buildings, eh? xD

The @JakartabyTrain website also serves us with rare info about some interesting Jakarta hidden gems. For instance, have you heard before that there’s a street named after Tan Malaka? Or do you know that the legendary wealthy Oey Tambah Sia did exist, and his former house still operates as diving gear equipment until now? Or do you know that current PGI Cikini Hospital Office was a replica from Callenberg Palace in Germany? Aaand, all of those fancy places could be reached by train.

I think this is a great website for a historical junkie and to promote eco-tourism awareness, and surely helps for a budget traveler like me. Ha! xD 

Let's explore Jakarta, by train!