Trams in Jakarta explained

Trams in Jakarta
Image Alt:Steamtram in Batavia with the iron-works factory of Carl Schlieper in the background. The building was destroyed in a fire and on its place the Factorij was constructed.
Locale:Batavia, Dutch East Indies
Jakarta, Indonesia
Status:Closed
Minimum Radius Of Curvature:?
Map State:show
Era1 Name:Horsecar
Era1 State:show
Era1 Status:Closed
Era1 Operator:Bataviasche Tramweg-Maatschappij
Era1 Gauge:1188 mm
Era1 Propulsion System:Horses
Era2 Name:Steam tram
Era2 State:show
Era2 Status:Closed
Era2 Operator:Dummler & Co.
Era2 Gauge:1188 mm
Era2 Propulsion System:Steam
Era3 Name:Electric tram
Era3 Status:Closed
Era3 Lines:6
Era3 Owner:Bataviasche Verkeers Maatschappij, Indonesian government
Era3 Gauge:1188 mm
Era3 Propulsion System:Electric
Era3 Depot:Kramat

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.[1] [2] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5]

Rolling stock

The list provides only steam-tram rolling stock of Batavia until the year 1924.[6] The list is sorted by its year.

TypeManufacturerYearQuantityNITM numberSeats capacityStanding capacityPictureRemarks
TrailerBonnefond1869unknownunknown40unknownHorse-drawn (3-4 horses), 1188mm gauge
Fireless locomotiveHohenzollern1882-1883211-21not applicablenot applicable1188mm gauge
Fireless locomotiveHohenzollern1884-19071322-34not applicablenot applicable1188mm gauge
Steam locomotiveHohenzollern19211751-67not applicablenot applicable1067mm gauge
Trailer type ABeynes1882141-141616Became BVM A1-A14
Trailer type BBeynes18821451-64261652 & 55 became type A 80 & 81 in 1925. 23 survivors became BVM B101-B123
Trailer type ABeynes1882-1889991-992416
Trailer type BBeynes1882-18897101-1073416Became BVM AB201-AB207
Trailer type BBeynes18832151, 1524016Became BVM AB208, AB209
Trailer type ABBeynes18842202, 2024016
Trailer type c\CBeynes1887-189714251-2644028Became BVM AB208, AB209
Trailer type ABBeynes18972211, 2124016
Trailer type ABNITM19046221-2264020Became BVM AB253, AB254, AB256, C505, C506, C508
PikolanwagenWerkspoor1904-1924281-28not applicablenot applicable23 survivors became P1-P23
Trailer 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-C424
Trailer type CWerkspoor1922-192321401-4214253Became BVM C401-C421

See also

Cited works

Notes and References

  1. Book: Shahab, Alwi. 2009. Batavia Kota Banjir. Jakarta. Penerbit Republika.
  2. Web site: NITM. 20 December 2017.
  3. Yasin Sulaeman. Adriansyah. November 2017. Trem Batavia, Mutiara Transportasi Jakarta yang Terlupakan . 10 July 2019.
  4. Book: . Nederlands-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij . Batavia . Koninklijke Bibliotheek . 1881–1921 .
  5. Book: Shahab, Alwi. Saudagar Baghdad dari Betawi. 2004. Jakarta. Penerbit Republika.
  6. Web site: Nederlands-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij . Searail Malayan Railways . April 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170402164253/http://searail.malayanrailways.com/PJKA/Nederland-Indies%20Tramway/NITM.htm . April 2, 2017 . live .