KAI serves 3.82 million rail passengers in Sumatra during first half of 2026

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) recorded 3.82 million passengers using its rail services in Sumatra during the first half of 2026, an 11.35 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Throughout Semester I-2026, KAI served 3,818,770 customers on long-distance and local train services across four regional divisions in Sumatra, said Vice President Corporate Communication KAI Anne Purba in Jakarta on Saturday. She stated the figure rose 11.35 percent from 3,429,603 passengers in the corresponding period of 2025.

The increase demonstrates the significant public need for rail-based travel across various parts of Sumatra. According to Purba, the railway has become part of community activities for work, education, trade, conducting business, visiting family, and tourism.

Passenger increases were recorded across all KAI divisions in Sumatra. Regional Division I North Sumatra served 1,390,985 passengers, up 4.7 percent from 1,328,370 passengers in Semester I-2025. Regional Division II West Sumatra recorded 1,142,466 passengers, a 17.6 percent rise from 971,845 passengers, marking the highest percentage increase among the four divisions. Meanwhile, Regional Division III Palembang served 603,967 passengers, up 10.8 percent from 545,326 passengers, and Regional Division IV Tanjungkarang recorded 681,352 passengers, a 16.7 percent increase from 584,062 passengers.

The rise across all regions shows that rail-based travel needs exist across various geographical characteristics and community activities. In North Sumatra, rail services support intercity travel and public mobility towards Medan and surrounding areas. In West Sumatra, train services facilitate travel to Padang city centre, educational areas, business locations, Minangkabau International Airport, and tourist destinations in coastal and hilly regions. In the service areas of Division III Palembang and Division IV Tanjungkarang, trains support intercity travel in southern Sumatra, with passengers coming from diverse needs including work, education, trade, family visits, and tourism.

KAI’s operational areas in Sumatra are managed through Division I North Sumatra, Division II West Sumatra, Division III Palembang, and Division IV Tanjungkarang. This regional network serves community needs according to each area’s characteristics and operational routes. On various journeys, trains provide access to government centres, business areas, markets, schools, campuses, health facilities, airports, and tourist areas, helping communities carry out social and economic activities with planned travel schedules.