KAI and Transport Ministry ensure smooth and safe Eid holiday transport operations
Jakarta — PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), Indonesia’s state-owned railway operator, together with the Ministry of Transport, is ensuring the smooth operation and safety of Eid holiday transport services for the Islamic year 1447 through strengthened operational coordination, enhanced passenger services, and railway infrastructure readiness.
“I emphasise that safety during the Eid holiday transport operations is non-negotiable,” said Deputy Transport Minister Suntana whilst presiding over a troop deployment ceremony for 2026 Eid transport operations held by KAI at Gambir Station in Jakarta on Friday.
The ceremony marked preparations for the anticipated surge in public mobility during the mudik (exodus to hometowns) and return journey periods for Eid 2026. It served as an operational consolidation and cross-stakeholder coordination effort to manage the increased passenger volumes during the holiday period.
The event was attended by Transport Ministry officials, representatives from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, and KAI’s board of directors and management alongside operational personnel assigned to duty during the Eid transport period.
The deputy minister noted that the troop deployment ceremony represented an opportunity to ensure all transport service providers were prepared for the surge in public mobility during the mudik period. The activity reflected the state’s commitment to providing safe and comfortable travel for citizens returning to their hometowns whilst maintaining public confidence in railway services as a preferred transport mode.
Suntana stressed that all infrastructure must be verified in reliable condition through detailed inspections, whilst the security of rail lines, stations, and level crossings required special attention.
“All personnel must be ready to provide responsive and humane service so that public travel during the Eid transport season can proceed safely, orderly, and smoothly,” he said.
KAI Chief Executive Officer Bobby Rasyidin stated that the 2026 Eid transport period would last 22 days, running from 11 March to 1 April 2026. To ensure optimal operational control, KAI established an Eid Transport Command Centre for 18 days, from 13 to 30 March 2026.
During the Eid transport period, KAI Group’s transport capacity was prepared to reach 61.808 million passengers, representing a 5.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year, with a total of 49,866 train journeys.
For long-distance rail services, KAI provided approximately 4.5 million seats, capable of serving up to 5 million passengers operationally. This capacity was supported by an additional 62 intercity train journeys per day throughout the Eid transport period.
KAI supported various government programmes during the 2026 Eid transport season, including a railway transport stimulus offering tariff discounts of up to 30 per cent for more than 1.28 million commercial economy class seats during 14-29 March 2026, with government stimulus valued at Rp116.15 billion.
Additionally, KAI participated in the “Easy Mudik Together with State-Owned Enterprises” programme and the “Free Motorcycle” programme organised by the Transport Ministry’s Directorate General of Railways, preparing 56,392 seats for homebound travellers.
To ensure smooth operations, KAI conducted ramp checks of infrastructure alongside the Directorate General of Railways and the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). Inspections covered equipment readiness, rail line conditions, operational safety systems, and minimum service standards at stations and trains.
KAI also prepared an Integrated Eid Transport Command Centre and deployed 3,028 additional personnel across various service points, security stations, cleaning operations, and level crossing supervision.
On the digital front, KAI strengthened its Rail Ticketing System through infrastructure migration on 21 January 2026. The system was designed to handle transaction surges during the Eid ticket sales period, with queue capacity reaching 25,000 transactions per minute to ensure more stable ticket purchasing processes.
During this Eid season, KAI introduced an innovative service through the People’s Economy Train, equipped with 3-2 seating configuration to enhance passenger comfort whilst maintaining affordable fares. For the longest route during the Eid period between Pasarsenen and Lempuyangan, People’s Economy Train tickets were sold from Rp175,000.
KAI continued enhancing travel safety, particularly at level crossings, of which there were more than 3,700 points across various operating regions. Between 2025 and February 2026, KAI and stakeholders had closed and narrowed 361 level crossings as part of efforts to reduce accident risks and maintain smooth railway operations.
By 13 March 2026 at 07.00 WIB, ticket sales for Eid long-distance and local railway services managed by KAI had reached 2,822,637 tickets and were expected to continue increasing as the peak exodus period approached.
Bobby emphasised that the Eid transport readiness resulted from the collective efforts of all railway personnel and support from various parties. He noted that Eid transport represented a moment of national mobility with exceptionally high travel volumes. All preparations aimed to enable citizens to travel safely, comfortably, and on time.
“Support from all parties and public discipline, including when crossing level crossings, represent important factors in maintaining smooth railway operations during the Eid transport season,” Bobby said.