The authority began suspending the first of hundreds of the concrete balls above the tracks at the entrances and exits to stations just outside Jakarta on Tuesday. Others will be suspended near railway crossings.
If the experiment does finally deter the roof riders, the plan is to expand the project nationwide despite concerns – not shared by the rail company – that the balls posed a danger themselves.
“They don’t have to sit on top,” said Mr Rizahulhaq. “We’ve already told them, if the train is full, go to the office. We will be happy to reimburse their tickets.”
The tactic has caused some alarm among those who regularly ride “roof-class”. But those like shopkeeper Mulyanto, 27, who travels from Bogor to Jakarta each day, thinks he will keep pushing his luck.
“I was really scared when I first heard about these balls,” he said. “I think it could be really dangerous. But I don’t think it’ll last long. They’ve tried everything to keep up from riding … in the end we always win. We like it up there. It’s windy, really nice.”
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