Regional development and public activity continue to shape new\nmobility needs across Indonesia. On the island of Sumatra, growth in\neconomic activity, education, trade, tourism and daily travel is driving\ndemand for increasingly connected interregional transport links.<\/p>\n
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is responding to these developments\nby strengthening rail services in various regions. Connectivity\ndevelopment is carried out by taking into account public travel\npatterns, regional characteristics and evolving mobility needs.<\/p>\n
One indication of rising demand for rail-based travel in Sumatra can\nbe seen in the Rajabasa train serving the Kertapati\u2013Tanjungkarang route.\nBetween January and July 2026, the Rajabasa carried 534,748 passengers,\nan increase of 32.09 percent compared with 404,848 passengers in the\nsame period of 2025.<\/p>\n
The Rajabasa connects travellers between Kertapati Station in\nPalembang, South Sumatra, and Tanjungkarang Station in Bandar Lampung,\nLampung. The service has become a popular travel option linking two\nregions with diverse activities, ranging from economic and educational\npursuits to trade and tourism.<\/p>\n
The increase in travel demand has prompted KAI to adjust service\ncapacity. From July 2026, the Rajabasa has been operating with a larger\ntrain formation, increasing capacity from 530 seats to 848 seats. The\nadjustment is intended to support customer needs on the South\nSumatra\u2013Lampung corridor.<\/p>\n
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that the Indonesian economy grew\nby 5.61 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026. This economic\nexpansion is accompanied by stronger interregional connectivity needs.\nBPS data on Gross Regional Domestic Product by industry for 2021\u20132025,\nreleased on 13 April 2026, also highlights the role of various regional\neconomic sectors, including processing industries, agriculture, trade,\ntransport and warehousing, in the structure of regional economies.<\/p>\n
Given the region\u2019s diverse economic and social activities, Sumatra\nrequires transport connectivity capable of supporting interregional\nmovement. Strengthening rail services is part of efforts to provide\nincreasingly connected travel access.<\/p>\n
KAI Vice President Corporate Communication Anne Purba said the\nRajabasa\u2019s growth demonstrates that rail-based mobility demand continues\nto rise across Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe growth of the Rajabasa shows that public travel demand in\nSumatra continues to develop. KAI continues to read the character of\neach region so that the services provided are increasingly aligned with\ncustomer needs,\u201d Anne said.<\/p>\n
According to Anne, rail connectivity development is carried out by\nconsidering regional development and public travel patterns.<\/p>\n
\u201cRailways play a role in connecting various public activities.\nTherefore, service development is carried out by understanding the needs\nof each region and the travel characteristics of customers,\u201d Anne\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The growth in Sumatra\u2019s mobility illustrates that connectivity needs\ncontinue to evolve alongside regional development. KAI views the\nstrengthening of rail services as part of developing a national mobility\necosystem through a travel network that is increasingly connected and\nrelevant to public needs.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sumatra-mobility-continues-to-grow-kai-enhances-interregional-rail-connectivity-1787644398", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }