KAI designates Purwokerto as key congestion hub for Eid holiday rail travel
Purwokerto, Central Java – The head of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Operational Area 5 Purwokerto, Mohamad Arie Fathurrochman, stated that Purwokerto city in Banyumas, Central Java, has become a congestion hub for Eid holiday rail travel this year as passenger numbers continue to surge.
“The Eid travel surge has already begun showing increases. To put it broadly, for the Purwokerto Operational Area 5 region alone, the number of passengers disembarking has already reached nearly 30,000,” he said at Purwokerto Station in Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday.
He noted that the average number of passengers disembarking at Purwokerto Station reaches approximately 10,000 per day, whilst passengers boarding range between 6,000–7,000 per day.
He projected that these figures would continue to increase approaching the peak of the Eid travel period.
“The peak of passenger disembarkation at Purwokerto is predicted to occur on Eid eve (H-2) or around 19 March, with daily passenger numbers reaching 12,000–15,000 people,” he said.
Overall, in the Purwokerto Operational Area 5 region, he stated, the number of passengers disembarking at peak Eid travel is projected to reach 25,000–27,000 per day.
For the return journey after Eid, he continued, KAI anticipates passenger movement patterns will be relatively similar.
According to him, the peak return period at Purwokerto Station is predicted to occur on the second day after Eid (H+2) with passenger numbers ranging between 12,000–14,000 per day, whilst the total across the entire Purwokerto Operational Area 5 is estimated to again reach 25,000–27,000 per day.
Compared to the same period during last year’s Eid travel season, he said, KAI recorded growth in passenger numbers.
“Our data shows passenger growth of approximately 6 per cent,” he said.
He noted that this figure could potentially exceed initial projections based on passenger movement trends during previous major holiday periods.
Drawing lessons from the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 travel period, he said, the predicted 6 per cent increase ultimately materialised and reached approximately 10 per cent.
“Looking at the trend from Christmas and New Year, the 6 per cent prediction could possibly grow to 10 per cent,” said Arie.
Meanwhile, Banyumas Regency Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono assessed that the high volume of passenger traffic underscores Banyumas Regency’s position as one of Indonesia’s primary Eid travel destinations.
According to him, Banyumas Regency, particularly Purwokerto, is currently among the five major destinations for Eid travel by rail in Indonesia.
Furthermore, Sadewo said, the number of passengers disembarking during the Eid travel period at Purwokerto is higher than several other major destination cities.