75 KAI Stations Record 7.64 Million Passenger Movements in Sumatra

Rail travel in Sumatra forms a mobility network stretching from provincial capitals down to regency-level towns. During Semester I 2026, 75 KAI stations across Sumatra recorded 7,637,540 passenger boarding and alighting activities.

The figure comprises 3,818,770 boarding activities and 3,818,770 alighting activities. On average, these stations served around 42,196 boarding and alighting activities each day from January to June 2026.

KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said the data illustrates the strong function of stations in supporting travel by communities with diverse needs.

“Customer journeys in Sumatra are spread across many stations. People travel for work, education, trade, medical treatment, family visits, and tourism. Each station serves the character of its region and the different needs of its communities,” Anne said.

The five busiest stations in Semester I 2026 were Medan Station with 997,723 activities, Padang Station with 613,140, Kertapati Station with 587,556, Pariaman Station with 432,449, and Tanjungkarang Station with 390,415.

Together, these five stations recorded 3,021,283 activities, or 39.56 per cent of total passenger activity in Sumatra. The remaining 4,616,257 activities, or 60.44 per cent, took place across the other 70 stations.

This composition shows that rail travel in Sumatra is widely dispersed. Passenger activity occurs at city-centre stations, commercial districts, regency towns, industrial areas, educational regions, tourist destinations, and points connected to airports.

“This data is interesting because most activity is actually spread beyond the five highest-volume stations. That means rail services play a role close to daily life in many regions,” Anne said.

In Regional Division I North Sumatra, 28 stations recorded 2,781,970 boarding and alighting activities, equivalent to 36.42 per cent of all KAI passenger activity in Sumatra.

Medan Station was the busiest with 997,723 activities. Passenger activity was then spread across Kisaran Station with 289,385, Rantau Prapat 258,281, Tanjung Balai 252,216, Tebing Tinggi 205,035, and Siantar 193,654.

Activity was also recorded at Bandar Kalipah Station with 95,715, Lubukpakam 76,736, Perlanaan 55,073, and Mambang Muda 54,894. The data shows travel connections between central Medan, plantation areas, commercial centres, educational districts, and towns along the east coast of North Sumatra.

In Regional Division II West Sumatra, 20 stations recorded 2,284,932 boarding and alighting activities, or 29.92 per cent of total activity in Sumatra.

Padang Station served 613,140 activities, followed by Pariaman with 432,449, Air Tawar 213,880, Naras 138,383, Lubuk Alung 131,044, and Minangkabau International Airport Station with 110,093 activities.

Passenger activity at Kuraitaji Station reached 98,580, Alai 81,830, Pauh Kambar 72,766, and Kayutanam 65,352. This distribution reflects the railway’s role in connecting central Padang, educational areas, residential districts, beach destinations, the airport, and areas along the Padang–Pariaman and Padang–Kayutanam routes.

“The travel character in West Sumatra shows a close relationship between daily mobility, education, tourism, and airport access. Stations with different service scales remain important to customers in their regions,” Anne said.

In Regional Division III Palembang, nine stations recorded 1,209,971 boarding and alighting activities. Kertapati Station was the largest with 587,556 activities, followed by Lubuklinggau 255,237, Lahat 111,345, Prabumulih 99,634, and Muara Enim 93,325.

These stations connect government centres, commercial areas, education, industry, mining, and residential zones in South Sumatra. Customer journeys show strong links between Palembang and towns in the central and western parts of the province.

Meanwhile, 18 stations in Regional Division IV Tanjungkarang recorded 1,360,667 boarding and alighting activities. Tanjungkarang Station served 390,415 activities, Kotabumi 257,105, Baturaja 206,406, Martapura 100,186, and Blambangan Umpu 99,199 activities.

Further activity was recorded at Labuan Ratu Station with 79,454, Waytuba 41,403, Tulung Buyut 26,223, Peninjawan 22,698, and Tegineneng 22,217 activities.

This distribution shows the railway’s position in supporting travel between Lampung and South Sumatra, including journeys to city centres, educational areas, markets, public service hubs, and family visits.

Based on monthly data, boarding and alighting activity in Sumatra reached 1,247,838 in January, 1,078,232 in February, 1,343,802 in March, 1,269,520 in April, 1,332,066 in May, and 1,366,082 in June 2026.

June was the busiest month of Semester I 2026, averaging around 45,536 activities per day, higher than the first-semester average of 42,196 activities per day.

According to Anne, boarding and alighting data provides a picture of travel patterns that need to be served in each region. The information can be used to identify peak travel times, station service requirements, information delivery, staff readiness, and connections with onward transport.

“Behind every number there are people’s journeys that must be served safely and comfortably. Station data helps KAI understand how services are used day to day and how customer needs differ across regions,” Anne said.

KAI currently operates across Java and Sumatra. Operations in Sumatra cover Regional Division I North Sumatra, Regional Division II West Sumatra, Regional Division III Palembang, Regional Division IV Tanjungkarang, and one Regional Subdivision in Aceh. Nationally, KAI has 627 stations and 7,765 kilometres of active track.

The boarding and alighting figures in this release record customers at departure and arrival stations. A single journey is counted at two points, so the 7.64 million figure reflects station service activity rather than the number of unique individuals.

“Stations are spaces where customer journeys meet regional activity. Through safe, punctual, and comfortable services, the railway gives communities the option to reach more cities and regions across Sumatra,” Anne concluded.