The Great Transit Shift: Jakarta’s Karet Station Ceases Operations as BNI City Becomes the New Hub for Commuters

JAKARTA – In a significant move to modernize and streamline the capital city’s transit infrastructure, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Daop 1 Jakarta and KAI Commuter have officially announced the cessation of passenger services at Karet Station starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This strategic shift marks the beginning of an intensive four-month integration project aimed at consolidating passenger flow into the adjacent Stasiun BNI City (also known as Sudirman Baru).

The transition, which is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026, represents a pivotal moment for Jakarta’s "Golden Triangle" business district. As Karet Station—a long-standing fixture for thousands of daily commuters—shuts its gates for boarding and alighting, the nearby BNI City Station is being transformed into a comprehensive multimodal hub capable of handling both the Airport Rail Link (Basoetta) and the massive volume of the Cikarang/Kampung Bandan Commuter Line.

Main Facts: The Transition from Karet to BNI City

The core of this announcement is the immediate redirection of all passenger activity. Commuters who previously relied on Karet Station for their daily transit must now adjust their routes to BNI City Station. While Karet Station remains physically present as part of the rail infrastructure, its platforms will no longer serve as a stop for the Commuter Line’s boarding and alighting processes.

A New Commuter Experience at BNI City

To accommodate the sudden influx of thousands of daily passengers, KAI Commuter has overhauled the western wing of BNI City Station. The facility now boasts newly installed electronic gates, modernized ticketing counters, and an expanded hall area on the West Side. These upgrades are specifically designed to handle the heavy foot traffic of the Commuter Line, which operates separately but in parallel with the premium Airport Rail Link services.

To ensure a seamless transition, a dedicated pedestrian walkway (selasar) has been established. This corridor connects the vicinity of the old Karet Station directly to the BNI City entrance, allowing residents and workers in the Karet area to reach the new boarding point without navigating complex detours through heavy city traffic.

Continuity of Rail Services

Despite the change in stopping points, the frequency and schedule of the Commuter Line remain unaffected. The Cikarang-Kampung Bandan loop line continues to operate 264 trips daily. The only change is the physical location where the train doors open. Similarly, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Rail Link (Commuter Line Basoetta) continues its regular operations at BNI City without any changes to its boarding procedures or schedules, ensuring that international and domestic travelers are not inconvenienced by the domestic commuter integration.

Chronology: The Roadmap to Integration (September – December 2026)

The decision to merge the functions of Karet and BNI City is not an overnight occurrence but the start of a structured, phased integration period.

Phase 1: The Initial Shift (September 1, 2026)

Effective immediately on the first of September, all KRL (Commuter Line) trains bypass Karet Station for passenger services. On-site staff and security personnel have been deployed to redirect "habitual" commuters toward the BNI City access points. This phase focuses on "behavioral adjustment," utilizing heavy signage and public announcements to break years of commuter muscle memory.

Phase 2: Infrastructure Synergy (September – October 2026)

During the first two months, engineers and urban planners will focus on the physical "stitching" of the two stations. This involves enhancing the pedestrian walkways and ensuring that the digital infrastructure—such as the "K-Multi Ticket" system and the "C-Access" mobile app—reflects the real-time changes in station availability and transit times.

Phase 3: Accessibility and Urban Landscaping (November – December 2026)

The final months of 2026 will see the completion of the "Kendal Tunnel" integration. This project aims to create a seamless underground and overground link between BNI City, the Sudirman MRT Station, and the Dukuh Atas LRT station. By December 31, 2026, the area is expected to function as a singular, unified transit-oriented development (TOD) zone.

Supporting Data: Analyzing the Scale of Mobility

The scale of this shift is best understood through the lens of passenger statistics recorded in the first half of 2026. The data reveals why the integration was necessary and the sheer volume of people BNI City must now absorb.

Karet Station: A High-Volume Legacy

Between January and July 2026, Karet Station served as a vital artery for the city’s workforce:

• Total Boarding Passengers: 2,175,455
• Total Alighting Passengers: 2,127,155
• Total Activity: Over 4.3 million passenger movements in seven months.

Karet’s high volume was largely due to its proximity to the Sudirman office towers and the dense residential pockets nearby. However, its narrow platforms and limited entrance/exit points often led to dangerous overcrowding during peak hours.

BNI City Station: The Underutilized Giant

In contrast, BNI City Station—originally built as a premium hub for the Airport Rail Link—saw significantly lower commuter volume during the same period:

• Total Boarding Passengers: 940,478
• Total Alighting Passengers: 662,808
• Total Activity: Approximately 1.6 million movements.

The Combined Impact

Together, Karet and BNI City facilitated nearly 5.9 million passenger movements in just seven months. By merging these operations, KAI aims to utilize the superior space and modern facilities of BNI City to manage the 4.3 million passengers coming from Karet, thereby reducing the congestion that plagued the smaller, older station.

Official Responses: Safety, Comfort, and Strategic Vision

Leadership from KAI Commuter has emphasized that this move is a proactive step toward a world-class transit system, rather than a mere cost-cutting measure.

Purnomo Sidi, President Director of KAI Commuter

Purnomo Sidi addressed the public regarding the necessity of the integration, highlighting the safety risks associated with the aging Karet Station.

"The integration of Karet Station into BNI City is being executed with the utmost caution. We recognize that Karet has been an integral part of the daily lives of millions. However, our priority is to provide a journey that is not only efficient but significantly safer and more comfortable. By moving operations to BNI City, we are providing commuters with world-class facilities that Karet, in its current state, simply cannot offer."

Karina Amanda, VP Corporate Secretary of KAI Commuter

Focusing on the future of urban mobility, Karina Amanda highlighted the "Transit-Oriented Development" aspect of the project.

"This is more than just closing a station; it is about reclaiming urban space for the people. The integration will feature improved accessibility on the Karet side and a direct link to the Kendal Tunnel. We are deploying additional service officers and installing comprehensive informational signage to guide our users through this transition. Our goal is a seamless flow of movement across the Sudirman-Karet corridor."

Implications: Reshaping Jakarta’s Urban Fabric

The closure of Karet Station for passenger service carries deep implications for urban planning, real estate, and the daily grind of the Indonesian commuter.

1. The Rise of the Dukuh Atas Mega-Hub

This move solidifies the status of the Dukuh Atas area as the "Grand Central" of Jakarta. By funneling Commuter Line passengers into BNI City, the government is creating a concentrated hub where five different modes of transport meet: the KRL Commuter Line, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train, the Jakarta MRT, the Jabodebek LRT, and the TransJakarta bus system. This concentration is expected to boost the efficiency of "last-mile" travel.

2. Economic and Real Estate Impact

The "Kendal Tunnel" and the surrounding pedestrian zones are likely to see a surge in commercial value. With 5.9 million potential customers passing through a unified BNI City-Sudirman complex, retail opportunities for SMEs and multinational chains will expand. However, small businesses immediately adjacent to the old Karet Station entrance may face a period of adjustment as foot traffic shifts toward the new integrated entrances.

3. Solving the Overcrowding Crisis

Karet Station was notorious for its narrow platforms, which sat precariously close to the tracks. During the rainy season or peak rush hours, the station often reached a "critical mass" that posed significant safety risks. BNI City, with its multi-level architecture and climate-controlled waiting areas, offers a structural solution to the "overcrowding" problem that has dogged the Cikarang Line for years.

4. Psychological and Behavioral Shifts

For the "Anker" (Anak Kereta/Train Kids) community, Karet Station was a landmark. The shift to BNI City requires a change in daily habits. KAI’s success will depend on how well they manage the "human element"—the elderly, the disabled, and the long-distance commuters who now have to walk an extra few hundred meters via the selasar. The quality of the walkway—its lighting, security, and protection from the elements—will be the deciding factor in public satisfaction.

5. Future Use of Karet Station

While Karet is closed to passengers, it will remain a vital technical stop for rail signaling and emergency maneuvers. There is also speculation among urban analysts that the station could eventually be repurposed into a commercial gallery or a specialized transit museum, though KAI has not yet confirmed any long-term plans for the physical structure beyond its role in the 2026 integration project.

Conclusion

The transition from Karet Station to BNI City is a bold step in Jakarta’s journey toward becoming a modern "Global City." While the closure of a familiar station may cause temporary confusion, the data suggests that the move is a logistical necessity to handle the growing demands of Jabodetabek’s commuting population. As the December 31 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on KAI to see if this integration can truly deliver the "safer and more comfortable" experience promised to the millions who keep Jakarta moving.