Ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr travel rush, KAI Daop 4 ensures all locomotives ready to operate
Ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr travel season, Depo Lokomotif Tegal, under PT KAI Daop 4 Semarang in Central Java, has said that all locomotives are in prime condition and ready to operate. The main focus is on the locomotives in service for the KA Tegal Bahari on the Tegal Station–Pasar Senen, Jakarta route, which is among the popular trains for people in Tegal.
The Depo Lokomotif Tegal has also intensified daily checks prior to locomotive departures. The aim is to ensure reliability amid rising mobility.
This was stated by Luqman Arif, Public Relations Manager of KAI Daop 4 Semarang, during a visit with journalists to the Depo Lokomotif Tegal in the city of Tegal on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. ‘We ensure that every locomotive in service during Eid al-Fitr 2026, especially for the Tegal Bahari, has undergone the daily check strictly and in accordance with operational standards. We examine all technical aspects in detail to guarantee safety, security and punctuality of passenger journeys,’ Luqman said.
Luqman explained that the scope of the daily check includes inspection of the braking system, inspection of the diesel engine and lubrication system, and evaluation of the electrical system and control panels. In addition, staff check fuel level, oil, coolant, and locomotive sand. Key components such as wheels, bogies, suspension, compressor, horn, main lights, as well as safety devices and communications systems are also tested for function.
‘Leak checks and a visual inspection of the locomotive body are also carried out to ensure there are no potential technical disruptions during travel. During the Eid period, the technical team at Depo Lokomotif Tegal is on standby 24 hours a day to anticipate and address potential disruptions quickly and accurately,’ Luqman said.
Luqman noted that within Daop 4 Semarang there are three locomotive depots: Semarang Poncol, Cepu, and Tegal, and one train depot at Semarang Poncol. As a safety commitment, 18 locomotives and 155 passenger cars in the Daop 4 Semarang area have also undergone fitness checks (ramp-check) by the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation.
‘The inspection results indicate that all assets are fit for operation to serve Eid al-Fitr 2026. Safety is the top priority. Therefore, in addition to increasing the frequency of inspections, we are also preparing spare locomotives and trains to anticipate emergencies. With this readiness, we are optimistic that Eid al-Fitr 2026 operations will be safe, smooth, and on time,’ Luqman explained.
Head of the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of Depo Lokomotif Tegal, Yogi Effendi, explained that every locomotive to be in service must pass through thorough inspection stages, including fuel testing and administrative completeness. ‘We require about an hour for fuel testing plus checks and the administration,’ Yogi said.
Yogi added that if a technical constraint is found, they will handle it accordingly. ‘If the repair is light, we at Depo Lokomotif Tegal are ready to perform light repairs. But for larger repairs, we will send it to the Semarang locomotive depot which has more adequate maintenance facilities,’ he asserted.