KAI Group Transports 2.3 Million Passengers and 11 Million Tonnes of Logistics in South Sumatra

The rail network in South Sumatra has a long history as a connector for communities and the regional economy. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Group transported 2,315,580 passengers and 11.66 million tonnes of logistics in South Sumatra during January to June 2026, demonstrating the strategic role of rail transport in supporting mobility and goods distribution. ‘KAI Group’s rail-based passenger services in South Sumatra served 2,315,580 customers, and the freight services of Division III Palembang reached 11.66 million tonnes of commodities,’ said KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba in a statement in Jakarta on Monday. She conveyed that KAI has received direction from President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen national connectivity through rail-based transport. This mode plays an important role in opening public access, facilitating the distribution of goods, and connecting regional growth centres. In South Sumatra, this role has grown for more than a century through a rail network connecting Palembang, Prabumulih, Muara Enim, Lahat, Lubuklinggau, and Lampung. Anne stated that the history of railways in South Sumatra shows that from the beginning, rails were present as a link between city centres, inland areas, production zones, and ports. ‘This role continues in KAI Group’s current services through passenger trains, freight services, and the South Sumatra LRT, which serves access to the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport area,’ Anne explained. The history of railways in South Sumatra began in 1914 during the Dutch colonial period. The network was built by Zuid-Sumatra Staatsspoorwegen (ZSS) with the aim of connecting Panjang Port in Lampung with the interior regions of South Sumatra to support the mobility of agricultural products, forest products, and natural resources, including coal. The next important phase occurred on 1 November 1915, when the 78 km Kertapati–Prabumulih line was opened. Kertapati Station later developed into one of the main railway hubs in Palembang, while Prabumulih became a crucial junction connecting lines to Lampung, Muara Enim, Lahat, and Lubuklinggau. Line construction continued to expand, reaching mining areas and economic centres in South Sumatra. The Prabumulih–Gunung Megang line began operating in 1916, later extended to Muara Enim and Tanjung Enim. Afterwards, line development continued to Lahat, Tebing Tinggi, Muara Saling, and finally Lubuklinggau in 1933. After independence, the rail network previously managed by the colonial government was taken over by the Indonesian nation through the Djawatan Kereta Api. Over time, the line has remained an important part of citizen mobility, commodity distribution, and inter-regional connectivity in southern Sumatra. In the modern era, the role of rail in South Sumatra has become increasingly diverse. KAI serves passenger journeys through the KA Sindang Marga on the Kertapati–Lubuklinggau round trip, KA Bukit Serelo on the Kertapati–Lubuklinggau round trip, and KA Rajabasa on the Kertapati–Tanjungkarang round trip. During January–May 2026, Division III Palembang’s passenger train services served 500,563 customers. Urban services are also an important part of rail connectivity in South Sumatra. Through the South Sumatra LRT, KAI Group connects the public to various activity points in Palembang, including the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport area. During January–May 2026, the South Sumatra LRT served 1,815,017 customers. Thus, the total rail-based passenger services of KAI Group in South Sumatra reached 2,315,580 customers. On the freight side, rail has a strategic role in maintaining the smooth distribution of key commodities. During January–May 2026, Division III Palembang’s freight services reached 11.66 million tonnes of commodities. The commodities served include coal, fuel oil, pulp, and other commodities supporting industrial and regional economic activities. The large volume of freight services demonstrates the importance of railways in the logistics ecosystem of southern Sumatra. With large capacity, planned schedules, and connections to production centres and ports, railways help reduce distribution costs per tonne. This efficiency provides room for businesses to maintain supply smoothness, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and encourage more controlled goods prices for the public. Anne explained that the strength of railways in South Sumatra lies in the combination of a long history, a network connected to economic activity centres, and the continuously growing mobility needs of the community. With lines connected to city centres, energy hubs, ports, and airport services, rail has great potential to strengthen public mobility while supporting goods distribution in southern Sumatra. ‘The rail in South Sumatra has a long history as a connector of communities and the regional economy. With large capacity and a network connected to production nodes, railways help logistics become more efficient, maintain supply, and support more controlled prices,’ she said. KAI Group will continue to strengthen the role of railways in South Sumatra in line with the direction of national connectivity development. ‘With a strong history and continuously growing mobility needs, rail in South Sumatra is an important part of connecting communities, economic areas, service centres, and main transport hubs,’ Anne concluded.