Eid Exodus 2026 Begins to Surge, 11,000 Train Passengers Leave Medan
The Eid exodus of 2026 using rail transport in North Sumatra is showing significant growth as the period seven days before Eid approaches. Based on data from PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Regional Division I North Sumatra, as of Saturday 14 March, the number of passengers served had reached 7,756 people.
This figure is predicted to continue growing given that train departures are still scheduled throughout the day and evening. The growth is notably significant compared to the period ten to nine days before Eid (11–12 March 2026), which averaged 4,000 to 6,000 passengers per day.
Acting Head of Communications for KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, explained that the upward trend aligns with the end of the academic calendar.
“The increase in passengers is likely because today marks the final day of activities for the education sector. Therefore, portions of the community, particularly students and university undergraduates, have already taken the initiative to travel home earlier,” said Anwar on Saturday 14 March.
The Eid exodus activity is already highly visible at Medan Station. Over the past four days (11–14 March 2026), a total of 11,357 passengers have left Medan City through the station. Meanwhile, the number of passengers arriving at Medan Station during the same period reached 8,211 people.
Anwar explained that the exodus wave is dominated by workers and students who live in Medan but originate from surrounding areas such as Tebing Tinggi, Pematang Siantar, Kisaran, Tanjung Balai, and Rantauprapat.
“The wave of exodus travellers leaving Medan City by train is predicted to continue flowing until the first day of Eid on Saturday 21 March,” he added.
KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra has also noted a shift in trends on the second day of Eid, 22 March 2026. During this period, the public is predicted to begin returning journeys to Medan, whereby the number of passenger arrivals at Medan Station is expected to be significantly higher than departures.
To date, total tickets sold for the 2026 Eid Transport season have reached 106,042 tickets from a total capacity of 231,448 provided. The growth in public interest has also been driven by a discount programme of up to 30 per cent from the government’s economic stimulus, as well as the Ramadan Festive 2026 promotion. Both programmes offer discounts for KA Sribilah Utama and KA Sribilah Fakultatif services on the Medan–Rantauprapat route.
“We urge the entire public to plan their exodus journey wisely and promptly book tickets through the Access by KAI application so that travel is more organised. In line with this year’s exodus spirit of ‘Comfortable Exodus Together, Together Achieve Victory, Maintain Safety’, KAI is fully committed to delivering safe and punctual services so that the homecoming moment becomes a memorable and joyful experience for all our customers in North Sumatra,” said Anwar.