BEMU Electric Trains to Operate in Bandung: Routes and Schedules Revealed
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) plans to introduce battery-based trains, known as Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMU), in Indonesia starting next year. The Padalarang-Cicalengka route in the Greater Bandung area has been selected as the first route to utilise this technology, which operates without the need for overhead contact lines (LAA).
I Gede Darmayusa, Director of Portfolio Management and Information Technology at KAI, stated that advancements in electric vehicle and battery technology present new opportunities for the national railway industry. He noted that while KAI currently operates diesel and electric multiple units that require replacement, the current level of electrification in Indonesia is very low, at only 10%. Out of a total network of over 6,000 kilometres, only approximately 600 kilometres are electrified, and the cost of expanding this infrastructure is significant.
Beyond the high investment required, conventional electrification systems face operational challenges. Darmayusa explained that as battery technology becomes more advanced, lighter, and more flexible, it is becoming viable for large-capacity railway use. Consequently, KAI intends to adopt battery-based trains for commuter services. Studies and preliminary cooperation talks with PT Industri Kereta Api (Persero), or INKA, commenced this year.
The Greater Bandung area will be the first to experience this new technology, with the Padalarang-Cicalengka line chosen as a pilot project due to rising commuter demand. By using BEMU technology, KAI can implement electric commuter services on this route without waiting for costly electrification infrastructure. The planned 42-kilometre route features rapid charging capabilities, with current technology allowing a full charge in just 15 minutes.
KAI aims to begin the procurement process in September 2026, with the first train set expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2027. If the pilot project in Bandung is successful, this technology could be implemented in other Indonesian cities that currently lack electrification networks. The BEMU service will cover the corridor from Padalarang through Cimahi, Bandung, and Rancaekek to Cicalengka, including intermediate stations such as Cimindi, Andir, Kiaracondong, Gedebage, and Haurpugur. Charging is planned at Padalarang, the Bandung depot, and Cicalengka, with the service expected to reach speeds of up to 120 km/h and a headway of 15 to 30 minutes.