Bandung Attracts Visitors During Long Weekend, Railway Mobility in West Java Continues to Increase
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ascension of Jesus Christ long weekend has brought increased public mobility to Bandung and various cities in West Java. The cool air, heritage sites, culinary destinations, and café culture of Bandung continue to attract people to enjoy the long holiday with family and friends.
Amidst the high volume of vehicles heading towards Bandung, reaching 87,918 on Friday, May 15th, trains have become a popular choice for travelers seeking a more efficient and comfortable journey during the long weekend.
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded high passenger numbers in the Daop 2 Bandung area during the long weekend period of May 13-17. As of Saturday, May 17th at 10:00 AM, a total of 91,678 passengers on long-distance trains were recorded departing from various stations in the Daop 2 Bandung area, ranging from Purwakarta to Banjar.
The Parahyangan train has become a favorite among travelers during this long weekend. As of preliminary data on May 17th at 10:00 AM, 18,006 passengers have used or will use the Parahyangan train during the long weekend period.
In addition to the Parahyangan train, several other long-distance trains serving passengers at Bandung Station also recorded high volumes, including the Papandayan, Argo Wilis, Malabar, Sangkuriang, Lodaya, Ciremai, and Harina trains.
The high mobility is also reflected in popular routes towards Bandung. To date, the Bandung-Gambir route has served 8,038 passengers, while the Gambir-Bandung route has served 7,624 passengers.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that the travel patterns during this long weekend indicate that rail transport remains a popular choice for travelers, especially for short trips between cities.
“Bandung offers a complete range of tourist attractions, from its cool atmosphere and culinary delights to creative spaces and various family activities. Trains are a preferred option because they offer a more practical journey, allowing passengers to enjoy their holiday in a more relaxed manner,” said Anne Purba.
The mobility of people in West Java during the long weekend is also reflected in the high usage of local train services. During the period of May 13-16, as many as 208,942 passengers used local train services in the Daop 2 Bandung area, including the Bandung Raya Commuter Line and the Garut Commuter Line.
This number represents an increase of 2.87 percent compared to the same period last week (May 6-9), which recorded 203,112 passengers. The high volume of local travel indicates that activities in the Bandung Raya and Garut areas remain active during the long weekend, whether for tourism, visiting family, or daily mobility.
The increase in mobility is also evident in the Whoosh high-speed train service. During the four-day period of May 13-16, as many as 75,097 passengers used the Whoosh service. This represents an increase of 17.80 percent compared to the period of May 6-9, which recorded 63,748 passengers.
According to Anne, travel trends during the long weekend show that rail transport plays an important role in supporting public mobility to various tourist destinations and activity centers in West Java.
“Rail transport helps people enjoy a more comfortable and efficient journey during the long weekend. Passengers also have more time to enjoy the city atmosphere, spend time with family, and travel in a more relaxed manner,” Anne concluded.