The beginning and the end of the Semarang City tramline

"Semarang Joana Stoomtram Maatschappij provides steam tram as public transportation in Semarang"

A.) Djoernatan Station or Centraal Djoernatan in Semarang; B.) Djomblang Station in Semarang. Source: A.) KITLV (Hisgen, 1927); B.) KITLV (Willem Meijers, ca.1900)

On 1 December 1882, Semarang Joana Stoomtram Maatschappij held an opening ceremony of Centraal-Djomblang tramline Semarang which became the first tramline operating in the Dutch Indies. The opening began with the ceremony and the first inaugural tram ride from Jurnatan to Jomblang. The steam tram later became public transportation that contributed to the rapid development of Semarang City since the tram was not only as inner-city transportation but also integrated with other SJS city tramlines such as Demak, Kudus, Pati, and Rembang.

Bus on Dr. Vogel street in Semarang. Source: KITLV (Hisgen, 1925)

As the electric tram was introduced in the Dutch Indies in 1912, Semarang Joana Stoomtram Maatschappij proposed to the Government of Semarang to replace the steam tram with an electric tram but the proposal was refused. Steam tram in Semarang City started to bankrupt due to an increase number of bus transportation. Finally, the Semarang City Government stopped the tram city operational on 1 March 1940 due to consideration of the city’s traffic getting busier with private and public vehicles, decreasing income, as well as steam trams that are deemed outdated.