Tram. Tram is a means of transportation in a rail-based city that looks like a train. The initial idea of the use of tram as a means of transportation in Batavia at that time, initiated by Mr. J. Babut du Mares where the process of building the tram line is done by the company Dumler & Co who was then appointed as executor. The process of building the tram line itself took almost 2 years. Started on 10 August 1867 and finished on April 20, 1869.
Tram in Jakarta had several times experienced changes in terms of power sources that move it. The following is the development of trams in Jakarta from 1869 to 1960:
1. Trams Driven by Horse Power
The tram driven by 3 - 4 horsepower and controlled by a coachman was first introduced in Batavia on April 20, 1869. It was then managed by Dutch company Bataviasche Tramweg Maatschappij (BTM).
This tram has a passenger capacity of 40 people at a rate of 10 cents per passenger. The daily tram operational hours start at 5 am and end at 8 pm with Tanah Abang and Jatinegara routes (Meester Cornelis). The Meester Cornelis route passes the Water Gate - Pasar Baru - Lapangan Banteng - Pasar Senen - Kramat - Jatinegara.
This tram including public transport is very popular at the time. But given the tram is also driven by horsepower, many people who later complained about the dirty streets of Batavia because of the large amount of horse dung scattered on the road. In addition, the distance is far enough, making a lot of horses that eventually died from exhaustion. Noted 545 horses that died within 3 years since the tram was first operated.
2. Trams Driven by Steam Power
Steam tram or also called Steam Tram began operating in Batavia in 1881. This tram is under the auspices of the company Nederlandsch-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij or Batavia Tramways Company. The tram that operates daily from 6 am to 7 pm sets a tariff of 20 cents for first class passengers, and 10 cents for 2 and 3 class passengers.
Class 1 is usually reserved for European or white-skinned descendants. Class 2 for Arab, Indian, Chinese and native aristocrats. Grade 3 for natives and pets such as goats. From this difference of tram passenger treatment then we are now familiar with the term 'goat class'.
The steam tram is capable of reaching even further distances from the horse tram. The route starts from Pasar Ikan to Gajah Mada - Harmoni - Kramat - Pasar Baru - Lapangan Banteng then to Meester Cornelis (Jatinegara) passes Salemba and Matraman.
In early-generation steam trams, manual evaporation systems are applied to trams, sometimes leaving the tram running out of fuel in the middle of the road. This is often the trigger of an accident. While on the next generation steam tram, tram locomotive is equipped with a kettle called remise. At the tram stop in the Kramat area, this remise is filled with ready-made steam and has some pressure. In a single charge, the steam in the remise can be used for a round trip tram ride.
But as with the horse tram, this tram also has many weaknesses. In addition to a noisy voice, this boiler is also easy to enter the water when the rain. Water that goes into the kettle is often the cause of the tram strike in the middle of the road and eventually cause an accident.
Although the era of electric tram later emerged in 1899, this steam tram could still be found in the streets of Batavia until 1933. The existence of steam trams began to be eliminated when BETM and DRISC / NITM merged into Bataviaasche Verkeer Maatschappij (BVM).
3. Trams Driven by Electric Power
The tram that operates under the banner of the Nederlandsch-Indische Tramweg Maatschappij (NTM) and Batavia-Electrisch Tram Maatschappij (BVM) firms was first operated in 1899. This tram is in great demand by the public as it reaches most of Batavia such as Menteng, Kramat, Senen, Gunung Sahari and Beos.
The rates applied for Class 1 for all majors at that time are as follows:
a. 20 cents for one rit;
b. 35 cents for two rites;
c. 15 cents for some rit;
d. monthly subscription.
In 1960, the tram was officially abolished because it often became the culprit of traffic congestion in Jakarta and is considered no longer appropriate with the development of the city. It is very unfortunate, given the long history of the tram as one means of mass transportation is populist and closely with the daily life of the people of Jakarta.