DPR Member Urges KAI to Anticipate Passenger Congestion During Lebaran Mudik

Surabaya (ANTARA) - A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Bambang Haryo Soekartono, has asked PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to anticipate passenger crowding during the Lebaran mudik period in 2026. “For long-distance capacity on average is still around 47 percent, meaning there is still sufficient headroom to accommodate those returning for Eid. But for commuter trains, especially towards Malang, Blitar, Lamongan, and Mojokerto, occupancy has already reached 150 percent. This is overload,” he said while inspecting Gubeng Station, Surabaya, on Wednesday. He explained that the condition means around 50 percent of passengers must stand, so swift measures are needed to maintain comfort and safety. Bambang said he has reported the situation to the Director General of Railways to take prompt steps, including increasing the number of carriages on commuter train sets. In addition, he proposed that the electric rail project (KRL) based on a double-track line planned up to Sidoarjo could be extended to Malang. He said demand on that line continues to rise, with an average of 50 journeys per day. Meanwhile, Head of Operations Area (Daop) 8 Surabaya, Daniel Johanes Hutabarat, assured readiness of facilities for Lebaran transport period from 13–30 March. He said preparations have been made since a month earlier, including ramp checks with the Directorate General of Railways. For that period, Daop 8 Surabaya prepared capacity up to 533,000 seats, about seven per cent higher than the previous year. “Currently occupancy remains at 47 percent. We invite the public to plan their Lebaran mudik by train as soon as possible. Peak mudik flow is expected on 18–19 March,” he said. Daniel added that they welcome the DPR’s input on increasing commuter train capacity and support for enhancing Public Service Obligation (PSO) and speeding up the realisation of the KRL project over the next three years. With a significant surge in the commuter segment, adding carriages and developing tracks are seen as strategic steps to ensure Lebaran transport runs safely, comfortably, and can accommodate the high mobility of the public.