Let’s make the road safe

It is urgent for KAI (Indonesian Railway Company) to prioritize its rolling stocks’ maintenance. Executive cars modification/fabrication begun at 1995 when KAI launch Argo Bromo & Gede together with first deployment of CC203. Next thing we know KAI launch some long-distance train equipped with new executive cars. Typical train consist of 8 executive cars with 54 seats, 1 restaurant cars, and 1 generator. Executive car’s feature includes air conditioning, simple reclining seat, compact dinner table, automatic sliding door, toilet-seat with gun shower, integrated audio/video, and neatly-spaced luggage compartment.

Then one by one this new style of executive car made by INKA serve to public. Although I doubt that KAI could handle such rolling stock maintenance. Years before KAI only relies on business cars modified with small-thin carpet and headrest clothing. In the beginning ’90s, those business cars also equipped with insects as cockroach to small rats.

In my experience with Gajayana between 2001-2003, first Gajayana used only 2 new-style executive cars of 8 cars. But in the end of 2001, Gajayana consist of all 8 executive cars. Year 2001-2003 are production date of Gajayana’s executive cars, so most of the time I enjoyed this comfortable car. But that won’t last long. In the mid year of 2002, I already witnessed degradation to the car due to lack of maintenance and design flaw. It started with deteroriated LED (7-segment style to be exact) information sign. Then it continued with broken sliding door, inoperational audio/video, and broken air conditioner. Although at the beginning of its operation it had air conditioner problem also. It caused the technician to run front-to-back of consist to get things right. The car was just 11 days old from production date.

More and more, Gajayana consists are mixture of new and old cars making unequal service within just 1 train. We can assume that old cars are in low shape but same thing for new cars which is not 100% condition. Passenger could not make use of diner table to have meal, bad climate control, and unenjoyable audio/video. I liked the first audio/video service that plays original VCD movies not like now with VHS playback of pirated movies.

It is quite obvious that KAI could keep the executive cars in top shape. Most of maintainance only covers exterior washing and interior cleaning only with simple brooms. While it should prepare such as vacuum cleaner and rug shampooing. Not to mention the desinfectant procedure which have to wait for next scheduled Balai Yasa’s maintenance. Plus interior design flaw such as dinner table design which could easily slip and broke without excessive force. But I admire that its interior design was properly consider style and ergonomics.

Besides KAI’s limited material maintenance, their crew also considered as a disappointment. There were no much steward crew recruitment which make the service disappointing. I had only count up to 4 shift of steward, nothing more on the cleaning crew that count only 2 shift. While tipical cabin crew service were selling food & drinks across the train consists. It would be no surprise that passenger could only grins when they remind them of closing the door to maintain comfort.

I agree that night’s meal is insufficient both in quantity and quality. As I recall, in the beginning of Gajayana operation back in the year of 2001, the meal was sufficient and quite delicious. Unless its aircon freezed me and leave me in hunger. That degradation of meal is based on customer’s responses indirect. In my opinion, customer prefer to have his/her own meal brought from home or favorite restaurant. I conclude this because too much leftover of train’s meal at the end of meal service. Although I like its steak that cost me much extra. But anyway I’m a railfan and intend to donate as proof of my love to train.

Gajayana’s ticket price that costs up to 200 thousand IDR easily considered as too expensive. It is true when you compare with executive bus coach ticket, airline to Surabaya, or even alternate train journey (using Surabaya-headed train to Jombang or Surabaya and continued with regular bus). But if you think again like a KAI’s executive :-), you realized that Gajayana occupancy is quite high. I would confidence keeping the price to add KAI’s income. After all company policies are prioritizing on maintenance, not customer satifaction or loyality. I myself prefer to use that expensive Gajayana to enjoy beautiful tunnel scenery of Karangkates duct besides its sufficient arrival time compared to bus coach.

Well, if you talk about CC203 that pulls oil tank consists. You should understand the situation. Picture this, Malang region only had 2 or even 1 CC201 for Matarmaja train, definitely one CC203 for Gajayana. The others motive power would be BB301 to pull Surabaya-Malang train, Penataran and maybe Doho consists, and oil kettle for Pertamina. So whenever one of BB301 out of service, CC203 would be a good alternative since its good shape and relatively high maintained.

IMHO, Gajayana was still below Argo class although they had same priority. Unless if you compared Gajayana with old Argo Bromo (and not the latest Argo Bromo Anggrek).

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