7.58 Million Passengers Enjoy KAI Executive Class Travel in First Half of 2026
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Distant mountains, sprawling rice fields alongside the tracks, flowing rivers, and rural community activities form part of the travel experience on Indonesian trains. From behind the window, passengers can enjoy the slowly changing scenery as they head towards their destination city.
This experience accompanied millions of executive class passengers of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero). Throughout the first half of 2026, KAI’s executive class service was used by 7,575,682 passengers, an 18.78% increase compared to the same period in 2025, which recorded 6,377,851 passengers.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba stated that executive class travel provides space for passengers to enjoy their journey time more comfortably. “On the train, passengers can rest, read, complete work, chat with family, or simply enjoy the scenery from the window. Travel time becomes part of the experience before arriving at the destination city,” said Anne.
Morning journeys present sunlight slowly touching rice fields and hills. On several routes, passengers can observe farmers beginning their activities, markets coming to life, settlements at the foot of mountains, and the daily life unfolding around the railway lines. As journeys continue into the late afternoon, the changing colours of the sky accompany passengers. This panorama gives each route its own character due to the varying natural landscapes, urban areas, and community activities passed along the way.
The comfort of executive class also allows passengers to organise their time during the journey. Some choose to rest so they arrive feeling refreshed, whilst others use the time to read, work, listen to music, or enjoy the trip with family. “Train travel showcases Indonesia from a close perspective. Passengers can see the transition from urban areas to rice fields, hills, rivers, and the towns they pass through. Every journey has a different visual story,” Anne remarked.
The increase in executive class passengers demonstrates that the travel experience itself is a key consideration for the public when choosing intercity transport. Comfort inside the train, cleanliness, staff service, travel information, and the atmosphere along the route all shape the overall passenger experience.
During the first half of 2026, KAI’s total long-distance train passengers were recorded at 25,188,824 people. Of this figure, executive class passengers accounted for approximately 30.08%. Executive class services are available on various intercity journeys connecting government centres, business districts, educational cities, tourist areas, and community hubs. The choice of departure times allows passengers to tailor their travel to their agendas at the destination.
Daytime journeys provide greater opportunity to enjoy the landscape along the route, whilst overnight journeys allow passengers to rest during the trip and arrive in the morning ready to begin their activities. KAI provides long-distance passenger services in several travel classes, including executive class, which can be booked through the Access by KAI application, the official KAI website, and other official ticket sales channels. Through Access by KAI, passengers can view schedules, select trains, choose seats, and manage tickets prior to departure. Planning ahead helps passengers align their travel time with work commitments, family visits, business activities, or holidays.
Anne said the passenger experience begins from planning the journey, entering the station, being on board the train, through to arriving at the destination. “Every detail of the journey must be maintained to ensure passengers feel comfortable. From the ease of obtaining information, staff readiness, cleanliness, comfort during the trip, to the atmosphere enjoyed from behind the window. All of these are part of the experience, particularly in KAI’s executive class service,” Anne concluded.