Stasiun Karet 'Retires': Jakarta Commuter Line Shifts Operations to BNI City Station

JAKARTA – In a significant move aimed at streamlining the capital’s public transportation network, Stasiun Karet officially ceased its passenger operations on September 1, 2026. This transition marks the end of an era for one of Jakarta’s oldest commuter points, as the responsibility for passenger embarkation and disembarkation is now fully transferred to the nearby Stasiun BNI City (formerly known as Sudirman Baru).

The strategic shift, orchestrated by KAI Daop 1 Jakarta and KAI Commuter, is part of a broader infrastructure masterplan designed to enhance connectivity and improve the overall experience for thousands of daily "Anker" (a colloquial term for Anak Kereta or train commuters).

The Core Facts: A New Chapter for Commuters

Starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the transit landscape for commuters traveling through the Central Jakarta corridor has undergone a permanent change. Passengers who historically relied on Stasiun Karet to access the Commuter Line are now required to utilize Stasiun BNI City.

According to the official announcement from KAI Commuter, the decision to close Stasiun Karet is not merely a reduction in service, but a consolidation effort. By integrating the two stations, authorities aim to reduce operational friction and create a more robust transit hub that aligns with modern urban mobility standards.

"Beginning September 1, 2026, all operational activities at Stasiun Karet have been migrated to Stasiun BNI City. We urge our fellow commuters who previously used Stasiun Karet to utilize the dedicated pedestrian access pathways located adjacent to the former station to reach Stasiun BNI City," KAI Commuter stated in an official release via the X platform (formerly Twitter).

Chronology and the Logic of Integration

The transition did not happen overnight. For months, KAI Daop 1 and KAI Commuter have been working on a complex integration process aimed at optimizing the flow of passengers between the Kampung Bandan and Cikarang lines.

The Phases of Transition:

Preparation Phase (July–August 2026): Infrastructure upgrades were implemented at Stasiun BNI City to accommodate the expected influx of former Karet passengers. This included the expansion of tap-in/tap-out gates, increased ticket vending machines, and upgraded passenger information displays.
Public Awareness Campaign: Throughout late August, KAI Commuter deployed personnel at Stasiun Karet to distribute information and guide passengers toward the upcoming changes.
The "Go-Live" Date (September 1, 2026): Total cessation of services at Stasiun Karet. Personnel were stationed at the old facility to provide guidance to commuters who were unaware of the change.
Post-Integration Monitoring: Currently, authorities are in the observation phase, monitoring passenger flow and congestion levels at BNI City to ensure the transition remains seamless.

The integration is primarily technical. The tracks themselves remain in use; the change is localized to the passenger service area. By funneling commuters into a more modern, larger facility like BNI City, KAI Commuter aims to mitigate the overcrowding that historically plagued the platforms at Stasiun Karet.

Operational Data: Understanding the Impact

To understand the scale of this change, one must look at the volume of traffic passing through this corridor. On a daily basis, there are approximately 264 train trips serving the Kampung Bandan/Cikarang route that pass through these stations.

Commuter Line Cikarang: Operations remain largely unaffected in terms of scheduling and frequency. The 264 daily trips will continue as scheduled; the only variable that has changed is the station platform used for boarding and alighting.
Commuter Line Basoetta (Airport Rail Link): Notably, the Airport Rail Link operations at Stasiun BNI City remain completely unchanged. Airport passengers will continue to use their designated areas, and the integration of KRL (Commuter Line) passengers is designed to run in parallel without disrupting the airport service’s efficiency.

The proximity between the two stations—roughly 500 meters—has been bridged by a new pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, ensuring that the "last mile" of the commuter’s journey is as safe and convenient as possible.

Official Responses and Stakeholder Views

KAI Commuter has emphasized that the decision was made with long-term urban planning in mind.

"We are focusing on the quality of the passenger experience," said a spokesperson for KAI Commuter. "Stasiun Karet, while iconic, lacked the spatial capacity to handle the growing number of commuters. Stasiun BNI City offers modern amenities, better ventilation, and more spacious platforms, which are essential for a transit system of this size."

The management has also acknowledged that any change in commute routines can be frustrating. To mitigate this, they have invested in:

Signage: High-visibility signage directing commuters from the Karet area toward the BNI City entrance.
Personnel: Dedicated "Commuter Service Officers" are on-site to assist passengers with navigation, specifically those who may be elderly or unfamiliar with the new station layout.
Accessibility: Special attention has been given to the Kendal Tunnel area, which serves as a vital pedestrian artery connecting the Sudirman and BNI City stations, ensuring that the route is accessible for all, including those with disabilities.

Implications: The Future of Jakarta’s Transit Hubs

The retirement of Stasiun Karet and the consolidation into Stasiun BNI City is a microcosm of a larger trend in Jakarta: the push for "Transit-Oriented Development" (TOD). By focusing resources on fewer, more capable stations, the government hopes to create "hubs" that integrate various modes of transport—KRL, MRT, and TransJakarta—into a singular, fluid network.

1. Improved Passenger Safety

Stasiun Karet was known for its narrow platforms, which often led to dangerous crowding during peak hours. By shifting traffic to BNI City, KAI Commuter has effectively removed a major safety bottleneck.

2. Streamlined Maintenance

Maintaining aging, smaller stations often requires disproportionate capital expenditure compared to their utility. By focusing operations on BNI City, the railway operators can concentrate their maintenance budget on a facility that is already designed to meet modern safety and operational codes.

3. Economic Impact on the Corridor

The area surrounding BNI City is rapidly developing. As a major transit point, it is expected to attract more commercial activity, thereby increasing the value of the surrounding real estate and encouraging transit-adjacent business growth.

4. Challenges Ahead

While the move is logical, it is not without challenges. For daily commuters, the shift requires a change in walking habits. If the connectivity between the Karet area and the BNI City platforms is not perfectly intuitive, it could lead to delays or commuter frustration. Furthermore, the capacity of BNI City to handle the combined load of airport passengers and local commuters will be tested during the upcoming rush hour periods in the weeks ahead.

Conclusion

The retirement of Stasiun Karet marks a turning point in the history of Jakarta’s rail transport. As the city moves toward a more integrated, modernized public transit system, the transition to Stasiun BNI City serves as a necessary step in evolving the capital’s infrastructure.

For the thousands of Anker who travel the Cikarang-Kampung Bandan line, the change is immediate and tangible. While nostalgia for the old station is inevitable, the focus now shifts to the functionality and safety of the new hub. KAI Commuter continues to monitor the situation closely, inviting public feedback to refine the integration process.

As Jakarta continues to expand, the success of such projects will be the benchmark for the city’s ambition to become a world-class transit-oriented metropolis. For now, the journey continues at Stasiun BNI City, where the rhythm of the city’s heart—its commuters—remains as steady as ever.