First Half of 2026: Passenger Volume on Five Longest Train Services in Sumatra Rises Across the Board

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded an increase in passenger volume across all five of its longest-distance passenger train services in Sumatra during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The five services and their passenger volumes are as follows: KA Rajabasa, serving the Tanjungkarang–Kertapati round-trip route with a distance of approximately 388 kilometres, carried 469,028 passengers in the first half of 2026, up 35.65 per cent from 345,770 passengers in the first half of 2025. KA Sindang Marga, on the Kertapati–Lubuklinggau round-trip route covering around 305 kilometres, served 159,658 passengers, an increase of 8.03 per cent from 147,797 passengers. KA Bukit Serelo, also on the Kertapati–Lubuklinggau round-trip route, carried 278,705 passengers, a 1.11 per cent rise from 275,636 passengers. KA Sribilah Utama, operating the Medan–Rantau Prapat round-trip route over approximately 266 kilometres, served 419,637 passengers, an increase of 8.30 per cent from 387,459 passengers. KA Kuala Stabas, on the Tanjungkarang–Baturaja round-trip route spanning about 215 kilometres, carried 377,928 passengers, up 4.93 per cent from 360,185 passengers. Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that the increase across all services demonstrates the strong demand among Sumatran communities for mass transportation linking cities, regencies, trade centres, educational areas, public services, and tourist destinations. She noted that each route has diverse travel characteristics, with people using trains for work, education, trade, medical treatment, family visits, and leisure. The longest route, KA Rajabasa, connects Bandar Lampung and Palembang, two provincial capitals with strong governmental, trade, educational, culinary, and tourism activities in southern Sumatra. From Kertapati Station, passengers can continue their journey to the Musi River area, Ampera Bridge, Benteng Kuto Besak, culinary centres, and typical South Sumatran craft hubs. From Tanjungkarang, passengers can reach the centre of Bandar Lampung and proceed to various natural and marine destinations in Lampung Province. Anne Purba added that the increase in KA Rajabasa passengers reflects the high demand for travel between Lampung and South Sumatra, expanding public access to economic centres, education, public services, and tourist destinations in both provinces. KA Sindang Marga and KA Bukit Serelo both serve the Kertapati–Lubuklinggau route but offer different service classes for distinct passenger segments. KA Sindang Marga provides business and executive class, while KA Bukit Serelo is an economy class option. The route connects Palembang with areas in western South Sumatra, including Prabumulih, Muara Enim, Lahat, Tebing Tinggi, and Lubuklinggau, supporting work, business activities, family visits, education, and access to public service centres. Passengers can also visit tourist destinations such as the Musi River area, megalithic sites in Lahat Regency, and Temam Waterfall and Bukit Sulap in Lubuklinggau. KA Bukit Serelo, named after a distinctive landscape in Lahat Regency known as Bukit Jempol due to its thumb-like shape, is widely used by workers, students, traders, and families. From North Sumatra, KA Sribilah Utama connects Medan with activity centres in the eastern part of the province, including Tebing Tinggi, Kisaran, Membang Muda, and Rantau Prapat. Medan serves as a centre for government, education, trade, services, and urban tourism, while the areas towards Rantau Prapat have a base of plantation activities, trade, and public services.