As a replacement for the mid-term test for System Modeling class, we got an assignment to do a sensing journey. Sensing journey is a way to feel the system through a different perspective. Together with other users of the system, we did a little traveling to different places within the system. We are required to ride the KRL Jabodetabek (Commuter Line) by considering a variety of things that exist from the time we go into the train station then back and forth to the destination.
So, In Tuesday, 1 November 2011, we do the sensing journey, we chose the route UI Depok Station - Jakarta Kota Station. This route is chosen based on the following considerations: Jakarta Kota station become the representation of densest station, since it is the central station, where trains from the direction of Tanah Abang, Tangerang, Bekasi, Bogor, and out of town layover. Then, UI Depok station is chosen as a departure location, considering the limitation of time that we have, so we find out the nearest station. And at last, the selection of the two stations causing the representation is completed. Jakarta Kota station is the representation of a big and dense station, whereas UI Depok station is representing small station.
This journey started at 12:30 am. We bought tickets with the price Rp. 6,000 for each person. There were two ticket booths, but at that time it was only open one, probably because it wasn’t a rush hour. Then, the commuter line train arrived shortly right after we bought the tickets so we rushed to the train.
When we entered into the platform to waiting for the train, there was an automatic entrance that is no longer functioning, causing the path to the entrance and the exit of the platform become narrow and unclear. On the platform we barely could see passengers because it was not at rush hour. Also we noticed that on the platform which closer to the exit there are more passengers waiting for the train to come. This was inversely compared to the platform, which further from the exit.
 |
| Inside the train |
Commuter line train that we ride departs in 13.30. There weren’t many passengers. A few moments after we sat, the conductors checked our tickets. The journey was nice and fun. The train stopped at every station, with longest stop was at Manggarai Station, because Manggarai is one of the big stations with more than one route (Bekasi, Jakarta, Bogor), so there are a very big number of passengers there. Then, near the Jakarta Kota station, a little bit of delay happened, probably it’s because the other train inside the station –usually in peron 11 or 12, common perons used by Jakarta-Bogor route train- didn’t leave the station yet, so our train must stood in the queue. The trip took around 40 minutes. At 1:10 pm we arrived in Jakarta Kota. The weather at the station was very hot and also the station was so crowded. Then, we decided to go for a walk around the platform first to observing the situations in the Jakarta Kota Station.
 |
| Jakarta Kota Station |
Conditions that are quite different is the amount of the platform that is more than the other stations, such as; it has 12 platforms. Each platform used for specific route and type of train. There are two entrances location in Jakarta Kota Station, the north and south doors. There are five ticket booth located near each entrance. Also, there are two entrances to the station platform, with ticket inspectors standing at each door. Actually, the entrance size is too small when the incoming compared to the amount of passengers especially at rush hour, causing the bottleneck event happened. In fact, sometimes passengers are jostling each other when they are in hurry to take a train that will depart soon.
 |
| Platform |
In Jakarta Kota station, we also noticed that the train departure and destination information is provided in an convenience amount, either in the form of banners /posters or even in digital form. Voice information is also provided quite well, meanwhile at some stations such as UI Depok station, the voice sounded unclear and somewhat resonant.
 |
| Waiting Room |
We weren’t only walk inside the station, but we also went outside the station to see it from the outside, it was very crowded and hectic, lots of kaki lima seller around, lots of angkot stopped in front of the station. It was very uncomfortable and probably not safe.
Then, we bought the ticket to go back to UI Depok station. The queue was not a problem since there weren’t a lot of people buying tickets at the time. After 40 minutes of waiting, we ride the train back to Depok. The condition the train is very different from the previous ride. The train was very crowded, so only 3 of us got a seat. The crowd was increased when the train stops at several stations such as stations Cikini, Manggarai, and Pasar Minggu. Only a few people who got off the train at some stations, most of them are going to Bogor. One small problem on the ride back was that the air was so hot, though there were air conditioners plus fan inside, it makes us a little bit dizzy and uncomfortable. Our return trip took around the same with the time we left which is about 40 minutes. Finally our sensing journey ended at the UI Depok station.
 |
| Inside the train in rush hour |
