Trams in Jakarta

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.

Trams in Jakarta
Operation
LocaleJakarta, Indonesia
StatusClosed
Horsecar era: 1869 (1869)–1883 (1883)
Status Closed
Operator(s) Bataviasche Tramweg-Maatschappij
Track gauge 1188 mm
Propulsion system(s) Horses
Steam tram era: 1883 (1883)–1933 (1933)
Status Closed
Operator(s) Dummler & Co.
Track gauge 1188 mm
Propulsion system(s) Steam
Electric tram era: 1899 (1899)–1962 (1962)
Status Closed
Lines 6
Owner(s) Bataviasche Verkeers Maatschappij, Indonesian government
Operator(s) Bataviasche Verkeers Maatschappij, Pengangkutan Penumpang Djakarta
Track gauge 1188 mm
Propulsion system(s) Electric
Depot(s) Kramat
Overview

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 1,188 mm (3 ft 10 25⁄32 in), 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, in 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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[3]

Post-Dutch era

In March 1942, the Dutch East Indies enter 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.[3]

After Indonesian independence, Indonesians took over the Jakaruta Shiden system in 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.[3][5]

Rolling stock

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

Type Manufacturer Year Quantity NITM number Seats capacity Standing capacity Picture Remarks
Trailer Bonnefond 1869 unknown unknown 40[7] unknown
Horse-drawn (3-4 horses),[7] 1188mm gauge
Fireless locomotive Hohenzollern 1882-1883 21 1-21 not applicable not applicable 1188mm gauge
Fireless locomotive Hohenzollern 1884-1907 13 22-34 not applicable not applicable 1188mm gauge
Steam locomotive Hohenzollern 1921 17 51-67 not applicable not applicable 1067mm gauge
Trailer type A Beynes 1882 14 1-14 16 16 Became BVM A1-A14
Trailer type B Beynes 1882 14 51-64 26 16 52 & 55 became type A 80 & 81 in 1925. 23 survivors became BVM B101-B123
Trailer type A Beynes 1882-1889 9 91-99 24 16
Trailer type B Beynes 1882-1889 7 101-107 34 16 Became BVM AB201-AB207
Trailer type B Beynes 1883 2 151, 152 40 16 Became BVM AB208, AB209
Trailer type AB Beynes 1884 2 202, 202 40 16
Trailer type c\C Beynes 1887-1897 14 251-264 40 28 Became BVM AB208, AB209
Trailer type AB Beynes 1897 2 211, 212 40 16
Trailer type AB NITM 1904 6 221-226 40 20 Became BVM AB253, AB254, AB256, C505, C506, C508
Pikolanwagen Werkspoor 1904-1924 28 1-28 not applicable not applicable 23 survivors became P1-P23
Trailer type C NITM 1908-1810 7 271-277 40 28 274, 275 & 277 became type AB 231-233 in 1928. Later became 501, 507 & 508.
Trailer type AB Werkspoor 1922-1923 21 301-321 36 28 Became BVM AB301-AB318, C422-C424
Trailer type C Werkspoor 1922-1923 21 401-421 42 53 Became BVM C401-C421
  • A horse tram passing Batavia's Amsterdam Gate in 1880.
  • The steam tram in front of the Postspaarbank showing trams for three divided social classes.
  • An electric tram in the Kramat – Tanah Abang tram route.
  • The remains of the former Jakarta tram tracks in Glodok.

See also

References
  1. Shahab, Alwi (2009). Batavia Kota Banjir. Jakarta: Penerbit Republika.
  2. "NITM". Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. Yasin Sulaeman, Adriansyah (November 2017). "Trem Batavia, Mutiara Transportasi Jakarta yang Terlupakan". Retrieved 10 July 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. (in Dutch) Nederlands-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij. Batavia: Koninklijke Bibliotheek. 1881–1921.CS1 maint: date format (link)
  5. Shahab, Alwi (2004). Saudagar Baghdad dari Betawi. Jakarta: Penerbit Republika.
  6. "Nederlands-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij". Searail Malayan Railways. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  7. Sulaeman 2017, p. 7.

Cited works
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