KAI Successfully Serves 960,893 Passengers During Ascension Day Long Weekend
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ascension Day long weekend, spanning 13–17 May 2026, saw high levels of public mobility across various regions. Travel for tourism, family visits, and the return of commuters to major cities drove an increase in passenger movement across various railway lines.
Amidst this high mobility, trains have become a preferred travel option, providing a comfortable and efficient way for the public to travel. This included students returning to their places of study, workers preparing for their upcoming activities, and families concluding their holidays with safe and peaceful journeys.
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded that during the long weekend from 13 May to 17 May 2026, 960,893 passengers utilised Long-Distance and Local Train services managed by KAI on the islands of Java and Sumatra.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, expressed appreciation for the high level of public trust in choosing railways as part of their travel during the long holiday period.
“Thank you for the trust of our customers who chose railway services during this long weekend period. High public mobility was well-served thanks to the support of our customers and the dedication of all KAI Group personnel, who continue to maintain services to ensure journeys are safe, comfortable, and on time,” said Anne.
Anne added that the high passenger mobility during the long weekend also demonstrates the strengthening role of railways in supporting public activities and the domestic tourism sector. Travel to various tourist cities and economic buffer zones grew positively during the long holiday.
Preliminary ticket sales occupancy during the long weekend was as follows:
• Wednesday, 13 May 2026: 196,370 tickets
• Thursday, 14 May 2026: 197,368 tickets
• Friday, 15 May 2026: 160,687 tickets
• Saturday, 16 May 2026: 179,615 tickets
• Sunday, 17 May 2026: 226,853 tickets
KAI also noted the 10 most popular trains during the long weekend:
KA Pariaman Ekspres (Pauh Lima – Padang – Naras): 29,577 passengers
KA Siliwangi (Cipatat – Sukabumi): 28,070 passengers
KA Joglosemarkerto (Purwokerto – Yogyakarta – Solo Balapan – Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng – Tegal – Purwokerto): 24,498 passengers
KA Airlangga (Surabaya Pasarturi – Pasarsenen): 22,716 passengers
KA Serayu (Pasarsenen – Purwokerto): 21,571 passengers
KA Sancaka (Surabaya Gubeng – Yogyakarta): 20,761 passengers
KA Kaligung (Semarang Poncol – Tegal – Cirebon Prujakan): 20,030 passengers
KA Pangrango (Bogor Paledang – Sukabumi): 19,069 passengers
KA Putri Deli (Medan – Tanjung Balai): 18,676 passengers
KA Kamandaka (Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng – Purwokerto): 18,605 passengers
The dominance of travel to tourist cities such as Yogyakarta, Sukabumi, Padang, and Purwokerto, as well as the southern coast of Java, indicates high public interest in experience-based travel during the long holiday. The presence of railways also supports regional economic movement through the culinary sector, accommodation, onward transportation, and MSME activities around stations.
KAI continues to conduct evaluations and service improvements across various operational aspects, ranging from punctuality and passenger comfort to the strengthening of digital services and facilities in stations and on trains. Customer feedback remains a vital part of future service development.
“KAI will continue to accept customer feedback as an essential part of the direction for developing rail transport services that are increasingly adaptive to community needs. Every passenger journey serves as an opportunity for evaluation to provide even better services over time,” Anne concluded.