75 KAI Stations Record 7.64 Million Passenger Movements in Sumatra

Rail travel in Sumatra forms a mobility network that spreads from provincial centres to district-level towns. Throughout the first half of 2026, 75 KAI stations in Sumatra recorded 7,637,540 passenger boarding and alighting activities. This figure comprises 3,818,770 boarding activities and 3,818,770 alighting activities. On average, these stations served approximately 42,196 passenger movements each day from January to June 2026. KAI Vice President Corporate Communication Anne Purba stated that the data illustrates the strong function of stations in supporting community travel with diverse needs. “Passenger journeys in Sumatra are spread across many stations. People travel for work, education, trade, medical treatment, visiting family, and tourism. Each station serves the distinct character of its region and the different needs of the community,” Anne said. The five stations with the highest activity during the first half of 2026 were Medan Station with 997,723 movements, Padang Station with 613,140, Kertapati Station with 587,556, Pariaman Station with 432,449, and Tanjungkarang Station with 390,415. These five stations collectively recorded 3,021,283 movements, or 39.56 per cent of total passenger activity in Sumatra. The remaining 4,616,257 movements, or 60.44 per cent, took place at 70 other stations. This composition shows that rail travel in Sumatra is widely distributed. Passenger activity occurs at city centre stations, trade areas, district towns, industrial zones, educational areas, tourist destinations, and points connected to airports. “This data is interesting because the majority of activity is actually spread outside the five highest-volume stations. This means that rail services play a role close to the lives of people in many areas,” Anne said. In the North Sumatra Regional Division I area, 28 stations recorded 2,781,970 passenger movements, equivalent to 36.42 per cent of total KAI passenger activity in Sumatra. Medan Station was the busiest with 997,723 movements. 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. Movements were also recorded at Bandar Kalipah Station with 95,715, Lubukpakam 76,736, Perlanaan 55,073, and Mambang Muda 54,894. This data shows the travel connections between the centre of Medan, plantation areas, trade centres, educational zones, and towns along the east coast of North Sumatra. In the West Sumatra Regional Division II area, 20 stations recorded 2,284,932 passenger movements, or 29.92 per cent of total activity in Sumatra. Padang Station served 613,140 movements, followed by Pariaman 432,449, Air Tawar 213,880, Naras 138,383, Lubuk Alung 131,044, and Minangkabau International Airport Station 110,093. Passenger activity at Kuraitaji Station reached 98,580, Alai 81,830, Pauh Kambar 72,766, and Kayutanam 65,352. This distribution illustrates the railway’s role in connecting the centre of Padang with educational areas, residential zones, beach destinations, the airport, and areas along the Padang–Pariaman and Padang–Kayutanam routes. “The character of travel in West Sumatra shows a close relationship between daily mobility, education, tourism, and airport access. Stations with different service scales still hold significant meaning for passengers in their areas,” Anne said. In the Palembang Regional Division III area, nine stations recorded 1,209,971 passenger movements. Kertapati Station was the largest with 587,556 movements, followed by Lubuklinggau 255,237, Lahat 111,345, Prabumulih 99,634, and Muara Enim 93,325. These stations connect government centres, trade areas, education, industry, mining, and residential areas in South Sumatra. Passenger journeys show a strong connection between Palembang and towns in the central to western parts of the province. Meanwhile, 18 stations in the Tanjungkarang Regional Division IV area recorded 1,360,667 passenger movements. Tanjungkarang Station served 390,415 movements, Kotabumi 257,105, Baturaja 206,406, Martapura 100,186, and Blambangan Umpu 99,199. Other activity was recorded at Labuan Ratu Station with 79,454, Waytuba 41,403, Tulung Buyut 26,223, Peninjawan 22,698, and Tegineneng 22,217. This distribution shows the railway’s role in supporting community travel between Lampung and South Sumatra, including journeys to city centres, educational areas, markets, public service centres, and family visits. Based on monthly data, passenger movements 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 recorded the highest activity during the first half of 2026, with an average of around 45,536 movements per day, higher than the semester average of 42,196 movements per day. According to Anne, boarding and alighting data provides a picture of the travel patterns that need to be served in each region. This information can be used to understand peak travel times, station service requirements, information delivery, staff readiness, and connectivity with onward transport.