B50 Trial in Rail Transport Supports National Energy Efficiency
Government support through subsidised fuel keeps railway services affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Amid rising mobility needs of the public and national logistics distribution, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) continues to optimise the measured use of subsidised fuel to support safe, affordable, and sustainable public transport services.
Government support through energy subsidy policy plays an important role in sustaining rail-based transport services that connect communities, industrial estates, distribution centres, and various economic regions across Indonesia on a daily basis.
As of 09:20 WIB on 18 May 2026, the realisation of KAI’s subsidised fuel usage stood at 83,915,377 litres or 39.15% of the total quota provided by the government amounting to 214,342,000 litres for 2026.
The utilisation is conducted in a measured manner through strengthened operational governance, control of energy consumption, and optimisation of passenger and freight train journeys that underpin national mobility.
Anne Purba, Vice President Corporate Communications at KAI, stated that the energy subsidy provided by the government has a direct impact on the affordability of public transport services and the smoothness of national logistics distribution.
“The government’s support through the energy subsidy helps sustain mass transport services that are used by the public every day. KAI manages its utilisation in an accountable and measured way to deliver maximum benefits for national mobility and freight distribution,” Anne said.
From January to April 2026, KAI served 19,218,440 passengers on long-distance and local trains managed by KAI, up from 17,709,669 in the same period in 2025. The growth demonstrates increasing public confidence in rail-based mass transport as a mode capable of supporting intercity mobility more effectively and efficiently.
In addition to serving passengers, energy use in KAI’s operations also supports freight transport that carries various strategic commodities such as containerised cargo, cement, clinker, and parcels. The presence of freight trains helps keep the distribution chain running through high carrying capacity and more predictable journey times.
Strengthening rail-based transport also helps reduce congestion of road logistics, maintain national distribution efficiency, and support a more sustainable transport system.
As part of strengthening national energy efficiency, KAI, together with the government, continues with further testing of biodiesel implementation on diesel-based assets to ensure operational readiness remains aligned with safety and reliability standards.
Testing is conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and LEMIGAS through fuel blending stages, equipment condition checks, and operational testing on locomotives and power cars.
For locomotives, testing is conducted at Sidotopo Depot with a focus on monitoring engine performance and fuel consumption. Meanwhile, testing of power cars is conducted at the Yogyakarta Railway Depot through evaluation of fuel consumption and periodic inspections every 300 hours of operation.
“KAI continues to ensure that all energy management processes operate in accordance with safety principles, operational reliability, and good corporate governance. All stages are carried out gradually and measurably so that the quality of service to customers remains maintained,” Anne said.
Throughout 2025, biodiesel use on long-distance KA services produced total carbon emissions of 127,315,192 kg CO2e or about 127.3 thousand tonnes from a total of 47.4 million passengers. Rail-based transport modes also have lower emission levels than private vehicles, contributing to keeping transport sector emissions more controlled.
Anne added that energy management in the rail sector will continue to be directed to support regional connectivity and national productivity through increasingly efficient and sustainable public transport services.
“Trains connect communities, industrial areas, distribution hubs, and economic regions every day. Therefore, energy subsidy support and its optimal utilisation play an important role in maintaining public mobility, smooth logistics, and national economic growth,” Anne concluded.