Farmers' and Traders' Train Serves 17,867 Customers Through 2026, Easing and Speeding Up Harvest Distribution
In various stations along the Rangkasbitung-Merak line, days often begin before sunrise. Farmers and traders arrive carrying sacks of harvested produce destined for the market, including chillies, onions, tomatoes, and various vegetables picked from gardens the previous day to ensure they remain fresh upon arrival.
The train passing through this route has now become an integral part of local life. With each journey, the harvest moves towards the market, carrying hopes that goods will sell quickly and the income brought home can support family needs, from children’s school fees and household shopping to keeping small businesses running day to day.
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) records that from 1 January to 11 May 2026, the Farmers’ and Traders’ Train service has served 17,867 customers on the Merak-Rangkasbitung line.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated that this service is one of the efforts to provide transportation close to the needs of small communities, particularly farmers and traditional market traders.
“For small farmers and traders, the difference in travel costs is very significant. When distribution costs are lighter, they can bring more harvest produce, keep their businesses running, and maintain family income,” said Anne.
The Farmers’ and Traders’ Train began operating on 1 December 2025 with a fare of Rp3,000 per trip under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme. This policy helps the public access affordable transportation to support daily economic activities.
The train serves the Merak-Rangkasbitung route round trip daily with a total of 14 journeys, consisting of 7 from Merak and 7 from Rangkasbitung.
According to Anne, the service also helps accelerate the distribution of agricultural commodities to markets, ensuring harvests arrive in fresher condition with better selling value.
“When food distribution runs smoothly, the benefits are felt by many parties. Farmers are helped in transporting garden produce, traders find it easier to maintain stock, and the public gets fresher food at the market,” explained Anne.
To use the service, farmers and traders register at the station ticket counter using their ID card to obtain a special customer card.
KAI has also adapted the train facilities to the needs of customers carrying agricultural produce and goods. The train is equipped with side-facing seats for 73 passengers, wider doors, and baggage storage space to make boarding and alighting easier.
Anne added that the service demonstrates how public transportation can directly connect with everyday community life, from agricultural activities to the economic turnover of traditional markets.
“In every journey of this train, there is harvest produce nurtured with hard work over months. There are traders who set off at dawn to keep their businesses alive. When the journey becomes lighter and distribution smoother, the community can feel benefits close to their daily lives,” concluded Anne.