In order to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission, PT. MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) changed the train headway time based on the evaluation result on the past three days.

PT. MRT Jakarta (Perseroda)'s Operational and Maintenance Director, Muhammad Effendi conveyed, his side changed the headway time because of the significant decrease in passengers in a row, from 13 thousand passengers, 10 thousands, and the last only 3 thousand passengers.

"Thus we updated our service policy by applying 10-minute headway with operational hours from 6 AM to 8 PM . This updated schedule is effective from today," he stated, Thursday (3/26). 

According to the evaluation result, declining number of passengers is in line with Jakarta's status as COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Response announced last week, as well as Jakarta Government's instruction to reduce outdoor activities to anticipate COVID-19 transmission.

"Number of passengers has decreased by more than 90 percent from normal days based on our evaluation on the past three days," he mentioned.

Even though the headway distance policy has been updated, there is no change in passengers restriction for each train, that is only 60 passengers per train car or 360 passengers in a series of MRT train. Besides, each passengers should apply social distancing at least one meter with other passengers both in train or station.

PT. MRT Jakarta has installed queing sign in front of tapping gate and on the edge of platform doors to maintain the distance between passengers. MRT officers both in stations and trains will make sure each passengers to comply with those regulation.

"This police adjustment will be carried out by considering the community's need for public transportation modes for urgent needs during COVID-19 emergency response period in Jakarta," he explained.