Do you dare to come aboard?: A performer acting as a zombie on board an LRT coach as part of the ‘Train to Apocalypse’ event in Jakarta. — AFP
IN a city known for monstrous traffic, “zombies” are rising up in a scary bid to get more people to use public transport.
That’s the hope of Jakarta’s light rapid transit operator, which has turned a train and station into the set of a bloody zombie apocalypse – with real passengers invited to the show.
The paid attraction, which the supercity’s light rail operator PT LRT Jakarta and event organiser Pandora Box launched last month, aims to promote the relatively new system and, more generally, encourage youth to take public transport.
The twitching, growling “zombies” drag their feet toward passengers, sending them running through the dark station tunnels to a train.
Inside the blood-spattered carriage, a TV anchor – another actor – reports news about a made-up “Pandora” virus outbreak spreading around the city, turning humans into the walking dead.
Soldiers armed with fake rifles fight the “zombies” and try to escort passengers to safety. “Danger, beware of zombie” warns a sign in the station, where red emergency lights pulse.
Called the “Train to Apocalypse”, the event is inspired by the 2016 South Korean horror film Train To Busan.
“We want to tell young people that taking public transportation can be something cool too,” Billy Junior, CEO of Pandora Box, said.
Home to over 30 million people, heavily polluted Jakarta has some of the world’s worst traffic congestion, and its uneven pavements mean it is not conducive to walking.
Riding the “Train to Apocalypse” costs 60,000-70,000 rupiah (RM18-RM21), until the event ends on Sunday. — AFP
