KAI Launches 'People's Economic Rail' Programme with KA Cikuray in Garut

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), together with the Directorate General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation and the Garut Regency Government, launched the ‘Rel Ekonomi Rakyat’ (People’s Economic Rail) programme through the operation of the Kereta Ekonomi Kerakyatan and Kereta Petani-Pedagang on the KA Cikuray service at Garut Station on Thursday (11/6). The programme delivers services that support public mobility while strengthening connectivity between agricultural centres, trade, MSMEs, industrial estates, and economic centres linked by the KA Cikuray line. The launch forms part of the development of the KA Cikuray service, which has been catering to various travel needs. The line connects areas with diverse economic characteristics, giving KA Cikuray a vital role in supporting productive community activities and reinforcing inter-regional links. KAI Director of Business and Business Development Rafli Yandra stated that operating the Kereta Ekonomi Kerakyatan and Kereta Petani-Pedagang on KA Cikuray is part of KAI’s commitment to providing safe, comfortable, affordable transport accessible to all levels of society. “Through this service, we hope the mobility of the public, farmers, traders, and MSME players can improve further. The presence of these carriages is expected to provide broader benefits for the community while supporting regional economic activities that grow along the lines served by KA Cikuray,” Rafli said. In operation, KA Cikuray uses a train set consisting of six Kereta Ekonomi Kerakyatan carriages and one Kereta Petani-Pedagang carriage. Seating capacity on the economy carriages has been increased from 80 to 93 seats per carriage, while the farmer-trader carriage has a capacity of 73 seats. The development was carried out by KAI personnel through the Manggarai and Surabaya Gubeng workshops and is designed to support mobility needs while providing better space for farmers, traders, and MSME players travelling by train. Plh. Director of Railway Traffic and Transport Aditya Karsa said the programme expands access to affordable public transport while supporting public economic activity. Garut Regent Abdusy Syakur Amin welcomed the launch, noting that Garut Regency has significant potential in agriculture, MSMEs, and tourism that can develop more optimally with reliable transport connectivity. KAI Vice President Corporate Communication Anne Purba explained that the service development comes amid rising mobility needs on the Garut–Pasar Senen line. KAI data shows passenger volume has grown consistently, serving 293,265 customers in 2022, rising to 591,089 in 2024 and reaching 615,723 in 2025. During January to May 2026, the service has already carried 266,993 customers, bringing the cumulative total since operations began to over 2.2 million. As a Public Service Obligation train supported by the government, KA Cikuray offers a fare of IDR 45,000 for the furthest Garut–Pasar Senen relation. The train serves 12 stations, connecting complementary economic zones from Garut’s agricultural and horticultural centres through the industrial areas of Purwakarta, Karawang, and Cikarang, to the national economic centre in Jakarta.