KAI Predicts Today as Peak of 2026 Lebaran Return Flow

JAKARTA – PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) predicts that the peak of the 2026 Lebaran return flow will occur on Sunday (22/3/2026). By morning, at least 221,566 long-distance train passengers have been scheduled to depart. KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated that this surge aligns with the high ticket sales during the 2026 Lebaran transportation period. “The trend of train travel has been increasing since mid-March and is now entering the return flow phase. The public utilises trains because they are more comfortable and on schedule,” Anne said in an official statement. Anne added that the high sales reflect public confidence in rail transport. From the total sales, long-distance train tickets have reached 3,433,667, or 96.1 percent of the available capacity. KAI recorded that during the outbound flow period from 11–21 March 2026, the total customers served reached 2,226,540 people, consisting of 1,888,827 long-distance train passengers and 337,713 local train passengers. Entering the return flow, the long-distance train occupancy rate has even exceeded 100 percent, with a temporary occupancy on 22 March reaching 137.5 percent. Anne explained that this figure is possible because one seat can be used by more than one passenger on a journey with different routes. Several trains have recorded high booking rates during the Lebaran period, including KA Airlangga, KA Joglosemarkerto, KA Sri Tanjung, KA Bengawan, KA Kahuripan, KA Rajabasa, and KA Jayakarta. Nevertheless, KAI states that around 587,828 seats are still available for the public to utilise, particularly for return flow journeys by choosing alternative schedules or routes. KAI also urges the public to plan their trips earlier and consider connecting train options to avoid crowds.