304,000 Passengers Use Mutiara Timur Train, Connecting Surabaya–Banyuwangi to the Gateway of Bali

The Mutiability Timur train has become a preferred travel option connecting Surabaya with East Java and Ketapang, Banyuwangi. Between January and September 2026, the service recorded 304,522 passengers, a 22.78 per cent increase compared to the 248,021 passengers recorded during the same period in 2025.

This growth aligns with the high volume of travel towards Banyuwangi. Data from the East Java Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded 1,846,509 domestic tourist trips to Banyuwangi Regency between January and April 2026, comprising 440,889 trips in January, 339,120 in February, 672,300 in March, and 394,200 in April.

Anne Purba, Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, stated that the Mutiara Timur train offers an attractive travel route by connecting Surabaya with several cities in East Java while providing access to various tourist destinations.

“Mutiara Timur provides customers with many travel options. From Surabaya, passengers can reach cities in East Java, enjoy Banyuwangi, and then continue their journey to Bali via Ketapang,” said Anne.

The Mutiara Timur service operates the Surabaya–Ketapang route with both Executive and Economy class options. For certain journeys, a Panoramic Train is available, offering an enhanced experience with wider views of the landscape throughout the trip.

The appeal of Banyuwangi is particularly evident during holiday periods. The Banyuwangi Regency Government recorded 240,632 domestic and international tourists during the Eid al-Fitr holiday from 18–29 March 2026. During the long weekend of 27 May–1 June 2026, visits reached 90,968 tourists, consisting of 89,870 domestic and 1,098 international visitors.

This connectivity extends to Ketapang Station, which is located near the Ketapang Port. Between January and September 2026, the station recorded 615,161 passenger movements (arrivals and departures), an 8.56 per cent increase compared to the 566,643 movements in the same period in 2025. Of this total, 292,618 passengers departed and 322,543 arrived at Ketapang Station.

From Ketapang Station, passengers can proceed to Ketapang Port to cross via ferry to Gilimanuk, Bali. The high level of mobility in this corridor was evident on 31 May 2026, when ASDP recorded that the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route served 29,075 passengers and 9,092 vehicles in a single day during the return leg of the long holiday.

For passengers, this integrated connectivity offers broader travel choices: from trains to cities and destinations in Banyuwangi, seamlessly connected to the ferry crossing to Bali. Simultaneously, passenger movement interacts with local transport, accommodation, culinary services, trade, and various regional tourism activities.

“Passenger journeys can continue long after they disembark from the train. When stations are connected to ports and various destinations, connectivity becomes more complete. We want train travel to open more access for the public to travel, visit family, and stimulate economic activity in the regions,” Anne concluded.