Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Street Photography # 5: Life at Bandung's Commuter Train



Bandung's commuter train, the KRD (Kereta Rel Disel), is quite probably unlike any other commuter trains you have ever seen, had a ride on, or even imagined. It is not only a means of transportation, but also virtually and quite literally a mobile market place. On board, you can find almost anything you would normally find in a market and more. Different vendors offering different stuffs like candies, drinks, cigarettes, foods, fruits, newspapers, and magazines are only some examples of what you can meet on board. You can also find street musicians, and even dancers performing for tips from the passangers on it.

Needless to say, comfort is not the key word on a KRD ride, but it's the cheapest and speediest means of transportation that connects Padalarang, a subburb town about 15 kilometers west of the city of Bandung, and Cicalengka, another subburb town about 17 kilometers east of Bandung, through the city.

The photo above is of a newspaper man offering newspapers to passangers on board the KRD.

16 comments:

MumbaiiteAnu said...

Sounds more of a market than our local trains in Mumbai. Here, we do have sellers especially in ladies compartments, but they are watched and also shooed away by railway police.
Interesting photo and information.

Photo Cache said...

This is a beautiful capture. I love your street photography. Well done.

Laurie Allee said...

Eki, you know how I love your street photography. This might be my favorite so far. This is such a vital, living shot -- a real slice of Bandung life. Beautiful.

J.C. said...

I love this shot of life in Bandung.

Tried once to take photos in our train. Alas, I daren't as the passengers were staring at me as though my action was offensive. I didn't manage to click away then. Otherwise, I would be posting photos in the train too.

Virginia said...

I think that would be bothersome to have vendors trying to sell you things in such a small space. Do people just pay them no attention? In Paris I noticed that the French are able to just stare straight ahead ( They are GOOD at that!HA) and ignore the "goofballs" that are often on the metros.

Your photo is a great depiction of this your city.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful shot and so telling! I have to agree with mumbaiiteanu it sounds like a market place.

Anonymous said...

great street photo again I think you best shots!!

Horsoon said...

I like the convenience!

escape said...

you're right about that! because here in the philippines, that is not allowed.

Unknown said...

Wonderful shot and Thank You for sharing.

Rambling Woods said...

The crowed conditions are like the New York subway, but the other aspects of selling things is very different. I always felt like I was in a tin can riding on the subway as I didn't do it everyday enough to get used to it. Now I think it would really bother me..

Anonymous said...

Yes, i have never experience a train like that. Great everyday people shot Eki.

Anonymous said...

hi sir,
sorry baru balas komennya ,
i thought this is a great photography website for bandung,
because you capture every side of bandung ,
and u know, i ever inspired by this website to create the same things in my blog ,
fyi, i know u from your student in UPI ,
his name is Ryan Aditya ,
nice to know you, sir.

Anonymous said...

Mobile market place? Wow! Nice take on the street photography! Certainly not something we're accustomed too!

Diederick Wijmans said...

Your portraits are stunning, Eki!!

Dina said...

Well, at least one would not be tempted to fall asleep during the commute.
Nice picture of life on the train.