PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), known as KAI, has been given the\ngreen light to import 23 second-hand electric multiple unit (KRL) train\nsets from Japan. This step is being taken to increase the capacity of\nthe Jabodetabek commuter rail service, which faces a continuous rise in\npassenger numbers, and to serve as a temporary solution while domestic\ntrain production capacity remains unable to meet demand.<\/p>\n
Approval for the import was granted by Commission VI of the\nIndonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) during a Hearing (RDP) with\nKAI on Wednesday (23\/09\/2026). This import of non-new rolling stock is\npositioned as a transitional solution, while the domestic railway\nindustry continues to be encouraged to enhance its production\ncapabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeeting the needs of railway transport capacity, particularly for\nthe Jabodetabek KRL, by strengthening the local industry and conducting\nthe integrated and sustainable import of non-new train sets,\u201d said the\nVice Chairman of Commission VI of the DPR RI, Andre Rosiade, during the\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin stated that the need for\nadditional fleet is urgent. This is because the number of Jabodetabek\nKRL users continues to rise, while several operating train sets are over\n40 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our transition,\u201d said Bobby in Jakarta on Wednesday\n(23\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
Bobby explained that KAI has proposed the procurement of 23\nsecond-hand train sets from Japan, consisting of seven train sets with a\n12-car formation (SF12) and 16 train sets with an 8-car formation (SF8).\nThe variation in the number of cars per set is adjusted to the\ninfrastructure conditions at various stations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe number we are proposing for this bridging measure, using these\nnon-new trains, includes 7 train sets with SF12, plus 16 train sets with\nSF8,\u201d said Bobby.<\/p>\n
According to Bobby, not all stations can accommodate 12-car\nformations. For example, the Tanjung Priok-Kota line has several\nrelatively short platforms, meaning the use of SF12 sets would not be\noptimal.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance, on the loop line from Tanjung Priok to Kota, the\nplatforms are short. Therefore, using SF12 would not be optimal. That is\nwhy we are proposing 7 SF12 and 16 SF8 sets,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
This need has become more pressing alongside the growth of\nJabodetabek KRL passengers. In the first half of 2026, the number of\nusers recorded an 11.3% growth compared to the same period the previous\nyear. Average daily passengers have now reached approximately 1.1\nmillion, and under certain conditions, can reach 1.3 million\npassengers.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, KAI faces the issue of fleet age. Several KRL\nunits currently in use are over four decades old, meaning the need for\ntrain set replacement cannot be fully delayed while waiting for domestic\nproduction capacity to increase.<\/p>\n
Bobby stated that the import of second-hand KRL was chosen because\nthe procurement time is relatively faster compared to new trains. Once\napproval is obtained, the second-hand sets are expected to be brought in\nand operational within approximately one to two months, whereas the\nprocurement of new trains requires much longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we import new ones, it will eventually disrupt domestic train\nproduction. These second-hand units are only for the transition,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
KAI also plans to use these second-hand KRL sets for a limited\nperiod. The imported fleet is targeted to serve as a bridge while the\ndomestic industry improves its production capacity and meets the\nsteadily increasing KRL travel demands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe plan to use them for 10 years, and we will implement this\nimmediately because there have been many complaints (from service\nusers),\u201d said Bobby.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kai-proposes-import-of-23-second-hand-trains-from-japan-dpr-grants-approval-1790175106", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }