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.
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.
ReplyDeleteInteresting photo and information.
This is a beautiful capture. I love your street photography. Well done.
ReplyDeleteEki, 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.
ReplyDeleteI love this shot of life in Bandung.
ReplyDeleteTried 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is a great depiction of this your city.
What a wonderful shot and so telling! I have to agree with mumbaiiteanu it sounds like a market place.
ReplyDeletegreat street photo again I think you best shots!!
ReplyDeleteI like the convenience!
ReplyDeleteyou're right about that! because here in the philippines, that is not allowed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shot and Thank You for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe 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..
ReplyDeleteYes, i have never experience a train like that. Great everyday people shot Eki.
ReplyDeletehi sir,
ReplyDeletesorry 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.
Mobile market place? Wow! Nice take on the street photography! Certainly not something we're accustomed too!
ReplyDeleteYour portraits are stunning, Eki!!
ReplyDeleteWell, at least one would not be tempted to fall asleep during the commute.
ReplyDeleteNice picture of life on the train.