Homecoming Rush: 11,000 Train Passengers Leave Medan
Train passenger traffic using rail transport in North Sumatra has increased significantly seven days before Eid (Lebaran). Over four days (11–14 March 2026), a total of 11,357 passengers have departed Medan City through Medan Station.
“This figure is predicted to continue increasing given ongoing train schedules throughout the afternoon and evening today,” said Acting Manager of Public Relations at KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, in Medan on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
He stated that the upward trend will continue in line with the end of the academic calendar and the approaching Eid holiday.
“This increase in passengers is possible because today marks the final day of activities for the education sector. As a result, many members of the public, particularly students, have taken the initiative to travel home early,” he said.
Anwar explained that the homecoming rush is dominated by workers and students who live in Medan but originate from surrounding areas such as Tebing Tinggi, Pematangsiantar, Kisaran, Tanjungbalai, and Rantauprapat.
“The flow of passengers leaving Medan City by train is predicted to continue until the first day of Eid on Saturday, 21 March 2026,” he said.
KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra also noted a shift in trends on the second day of Eid, or 22 March 2026. During this period, the public is predicted to begin returning to Medan, with the number of passenger arrivals at Medan Station expected to be considerably higher than departures.
To date, total tickets sold for the 2026 Eid transport period at KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra have reached 106,042 tickets from a total capacity of 231,448 available.
The growing public interest has also been boosted by a government economic stimulus discount programme of up to 30 per cent, as well as the 2026 Ramadan Festive promotion. Both programmes offer discounts for KA Sribilah Utama and KA Sribilah Fakultatif services on the Medan–Rantauprapat route.
KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra urges all members of the public to plan their homecoming trips carefully and to book tickets promptly through the Access by KAI application to ensure travel is well organised.
“In line with this year’s homecoming spirit—‘Comfortable Homecoming Together, Together Achieve Victory, Maintain Safety’—KAI is fully committed to delivering safe and punctual services so that the journey home becomes a memorable and joyful experience for all customers in the North Sumatra region,” he said.