High Interest as Over 16,000 Participants Join KAI Free Mudik Programme 2026
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) on 17 March 2026 dispatched 480 mudik participants in its free programme from Pasar Senen Station to Semarang Tawang using the Tawang Jaya Premium train (KA 178B). The train departed at 06:45 WIB offering economy-class service as part of KAI’s support for the free mudik programme during the Lebaran Transport 2026 period.
This dispatch provided direct benefits to the public by offering safe, comfortable, affordable, and scheduled mudik travel. As mobility increased heading into Eid al-Fitr, rail transport emerged as a mass transportation choice capable of serving long-distance journeys more orderly and efficiently.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba explained that this free mudik participant dispatch was part of KAI’s contribution to ensuring smooth flow of Lebaran travel this year.
“On 17 March 2026, KAI dispatched 480 free mudik participants from Pasar Senen Station to Semarang Tawang using the Tawang Jaya Premium train. This dispatch forms part of KAI’s support for the free mudik programme implementation during Lebaran Transport 2026, while reinforcing the role of rail as a safe, comfortable, and efficient mass transportation mode for the public,” Purba stated.
More broadly, KAI also supported the free mudik programme implementation conducted jointly with the government, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and various other institutions. Based on group ticket data for Lebaran Transport 2026, there were 14 organisers comprising 3 government institutions, 10 SOEs, and 1 private company, with total volume reaching 39,801 customers.
Of this total, 2,811 customers used executive-class service, whilst 36,990 customers used economy-class service. In the economy class, the breakdown comprised 34,166 commercial economy customers and 2,824 PSO (Public Service Obligation) economy customers. Demand was distributed across 40 train numbers, comprising 7 executive train requests, 32 economy train requests, and 1 mixed-class train request.
During the 13-16 March 2026 period, approximately 15,706 customers enjoyed free mudik travel using rail transport. This achievement demonstrated high public interest in free mudik services based on mass transportation with large capacity, fixed travel schedules, and supporting safer travel without road congestion.
Purba added that KAI’s support for the free mudik programme also formed part of efforts to encourage modal shift from private vehicles to rail. This measure was important for supporting travel safety, reducing traffic congestion on major mudik routes, and creating smoother, more controlled Lebaran mobility.
“Rail becomes one of the mobility solutions during mudik season because it offers safer travel, freedom from congestion, and certainty of travel time. Through this free mudik programme, KAI wishes to expand public access to reliable public transport services whilst supporting smooth operation of Lebaran Transport 2026 overall,” Purba explained.
Purba added that public interest aligned with KAI’s commitment to maintaining operational service quality. During February 2026, passenger train On Time Performance was recorded at 99.84% for departures and 97.61% for arrivals.
This operational performance was a crucial factor in building public confidence in rail transport, particularly during mudik season when punctuality, safety, and comfort were paramount customer needs. With support from large transport capacity and maintained service quality, KAI continued to strengthen its role as a reliable transportation mode during Lebaran Transport.
“Through this support, KAI wishes to provide increasingly widespread benefits to the public, facilitate smooth mobility during mudik season, and support Lebaran Transport 2026 implementation to proceed more orderly, safely, smoothly, and controllably,” Purba concluded.