The Jakarta tram system was a transport system in Jakarta, Indonesia. Its first-generation tram network first operated as a horse tram system, and was eventually converted to electric trams in the early twentieth century.
History Dutch era The first horse tram in Batavia was operated by Bataviasche Tramweg Maatschappij (BTM, Batavia Tramways Company). The horse tram line was inaugurated on 20 April 1869, long before trams existed in the Netherlands- using a gauge width of , connecting Batavia Old Town with Weltevreden. At the time the tram, pulled by 3-4 horses, could accommodate up to 40 passengers. In April 1869 an estimated 1,500 passengers had been served by the system and in September 1869 it was increased to 7,000 passengers.
As a result of horse trams operational problems experienced by the BTM, in 1880 the operation was handled temporarily by Firma Dummler & Co. Two years later, on 19 September 1881 Bataviasche Tramweg Maatschappij officially changed its name into Nederlands-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij (NITM, Netherlands Indies Tramways Company) and took over Batavia trams operation previously handled by Firma Dummler & Co. Under NITM, there was a gradual overhaul of its fleet and infrastructure, which the replacement of horse with steam locomotives produced by Hohenzollern Locomotive Works. The first locomotive was purchased for ƒ8,800 and the fleet replacement process was completed in 1884. The horse tram service was closed from 12 June 1882. NITM services reopened on 1 July 1883 with the inauguration of the steam tram service as well as the new Batavia Old Town–Harmonie line.
Four years after the operation of the Batavia Old Town–Harmoni steam tram line, electric trams was introduced under the operation of the Batavia Elektrische Tram Maatschappij (BETM, Batavia Electric Tram Company), making it a competitor to the NITM's steam tram. BETM began operation since the inauguration of Batavia Old Town–Ragunan Zoo line on 10 April 1899 which was extended to Tanah Abang Station in November 1899, but unfortunately the extension was closed in 1904. In 1900 BETM extended its tram network, reaching Jembatan Merah, Tanah Tinggi, and Gunung Sahari areas by crossing Ciliwung River. With the increasing number of years, BETM continued to expand its tram network until 1920, it marked with unhealthy competition between BETM and NITM. The competition caused ticket prices became too expensive that Batavia city government demanded NITM to upgrade its fleet to become electric-powered, but was refused by NITM itself.
As a result of the competition, the two began to impose transit tickets and special schedules during rush hour. On 31 July 1930 NITM and BTM were merged to form Bataviasche Verkeers Maatschappij (BVM, Batavia Transport Company). The merger combines 1 steam tram line, 2 trolleybus lines, and 7 bus routes operated by both NITM and BETM.
Under BVM, the tramways underwent significant changes. In former NITM routes, the electrification program was carried out from April 1933 to 1934. The electrification made the travel time from Batavia Old City to Jatinegara cut by 10 minutes. BVM experienced its peak in 1934, where it operating 5 electric tram lines with a total length of 41 kilometers.
The decline of the Batavia (Jakarta) tram began in 1935. As a result of Great Depression, BVM had financial problems, which its popularity was threatened by the emergence of other modes such as bemo and oplet. As a result of this financial constraint, the BVM bus service was closed and the company will only focus on the trolleybus service. The BVM bus service only reopened in 1941.
Post-Dutch era In March 1942, the Dutch East Indies entered the Japanese occupation. The trams service managed by the BVM was taken over by the Japanese army and changed its name to the Nippon Batavia Tram Army. Then in June 1942 it was changed to Seibu Rikuyo Batavia Shiden, and then, Jakaruta Shiden (ジャカルタ市電, Jakarta Trams). Under the control of Jakaruta Shiden the Jakarta tram underwent overhaul, including abolishing the class system, dismissing BVM workers who were Dutch citizens, applying Japanese symbols on tram bodies, and doubling tracks on Gunung Sahari–Pal Putih line.
After Indonesian independence, Indonesians took over the Jakaruta Shiden system on 13 October 1945, and changed its name to the Djakarta-Kota Tram which in 1957 was nationalized as Pengangkutan Penumpang Djakarta (PPD, Djakarta Passenger Transport). Although it was taken over, PPD only operated the tram for some years and was abolished because it was deemed unsuitable for urban spatial planning.
Route Here is the Jakarta tram service schedule as of June 1, 1948 Train No. Destination Train type Time between Last departure 1 Jakarta Kota–Jatinegara 2 trains and pikolanwagen Every 9 minutes 00.09 2 Menteng–Pasar Ikan (Amsterdamschepoort) 1 train Every 15 minutes 23.45 3 Kramat–Jakarta Kota 1 train Every 15 minutes 23.55 4 Tanah Abang–Jakarta Kota 1 train and pikolanwagen Every 10 minutes 23.58 5 Tanah Abang Market–Industrie 1 train Every 12 minutes 23.13 6 Asemka–Jembatan Lima 1 train ?
Rolling stock The list provides only steam-tram rolling stock of Batavia until the year 1924. The list is sorted by its year. TypeManufacturerYearQuantityNITM numberSeats capacityStanding capacityPictureRemarksTrailerBonnefond1869unknownunknown40unknownHorse-drawn (3-4 horses), 1188mm gaugeFireless locomotiveHohenzollern1882-1883211-21not applicablenot applicable1188mm gaugeFireless locomotiveHohenzollern1884-19071322-34not applicablenot applicable1188mm gaugeSteam locomotiveHohenzollern19211751-67not applicablenot applicable1067mm gaugeTrailer type ABeynes1882141-141616Became BVM A1-A14Trailer type BBeynes18821451-64261652 & 55 became type A 80 & 81 in 1925. 23 survivors became BVM B101-B123Trailer type ABeynes1882-1889991-992416Trailer type BBeynes1882-18897101-1073416Became BVM AB201-AB207Trailer type BBeynes18832151, 1524016Became BVM AB208, AB209Trailer type ABBeynes18842202, 2024016Trailer type c\CBeynes1887-189714251-2644028Became BVM AB208, AB209Trailer type ABBeynes18972211, 2124016Trailer type ABNITM19046221-2264020Became BVM AB253, AB254, AB256, C505, C506, C508PikolanwagenWerkspoor1904-1924281-28not applicablenot applicable23 survivors became P1-P23Trailer type CNITM1908-18107271-2774028274, 275 & 277 became type AB 231–233 in 1928. Later became 501, 507 & 508.Trailer type ABWerkspoor1922-192321301-3213628Became BVM AB301-AB318, C422-C424Trailer type CWerkspoor1922-192321401-4214253Became BVM C401-C421
Class The tram line is divided into three classes, namely class 1, class 2 and class 3. This last class is intended for the native population which is generally only shaped like an open tub or called pikolanwagen, this facility is used to transport fish, vegetables, fruits and the like. The average passenger usually consists of class 1 as much as 15%, while the rest are for classes 2 and 3.
In popular culture In the film Asrama Dara (1958), the Jakarta tram is the background for the song "Trem and Bus Kota" sung by Aminah Tjendrakasih.
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See also Transport in Jakarta Trams in Surabaya, another former tram system in Indonesia
References
Cited works