KRL Electrification Update: Transport Minister Assures Start This Year

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has assured that the electrification project for several railway lines remains ongoing and is expected to begin construction this year. Dudy stated that electrification will be implemented on three routes in the Jabodetabek area and one in Bandung Raya. The routes in Jabodetabek are Cikarang-Cikampek and Bogor-Sukabumi, while in Bandung Raya it is Padalarang-Cicalengka. “We are continuing with the KRL electrification. We are working with KAI (PT Kereta Api Indonesia). Not only in Bandung Raya (Padalarang-Cicalengka), but also in Cikarang-Cikampek and Bogor-Sukabumi. These are our main programmes for railway electrification,” Dudy said when met by reporters at the DPR RI building on Monday (13/4/2026). Specifically for the Tanah Abang-Rangkasbitung line, his side will carry out electrification only in the form of infrastructure improvements such as signalling systems and increasing electrical substation capacity, so that 12-train set KRL (SF 12) can operate on that line and also reduce headway. “There is also Tanah Abang-Rangkasbitung, but they already use KRL there, so improvements to signalling and electrical substation capacity,” he explained. However, Dudy did not reveal whether electrification will be carried out on the Rangkasbitung-Merak line. Previously, Dudy had also stated that electrification will not yet be extended to Serang and Merak. His side will not do so this year. “Electrification to Serang or Merak, not yet,” he said. However, Dudy will accelerate the electrification of railway lines in the eastern Jakarta corridor. The government views this project as part of a long-term strategy for developing mass transportation. The current main focus is to promote connectivity to supporting areas that have not been optimally served so far. “If I am pushing KAI specifically for Cikarang-Cikampek. Cikarang-Cikampek will have a significant impact because the Jakarta agglomeration will extend far to Cikampek,” Dudy revealed. With electrification up to Cikampek, public mobility in the eastern industrial areas is expected to become more efficient. In addition, pressure from density in the city centre could also be reduced as activity distribution becomes more even. “The movement can help people in Cikampek, especially from Cikarang and Cikampek. And it will also help the Jakarta and surrounding areas to become more dispersed,” Dudy stated. Meanwhile, the Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transport, Allan Tandiono, assured that the technical planning process is being accelerated. He said that the study documents are a crucial stage before the project enters the construction phase. Cross-agency coordination is also continuously carried out to speed up realisation. “Regarding the electrification from Cikarang to Cikampek, the technical planning documents will also start soon and will be completed this year. And we will certainly work together with Danantara, PT KAI, and PLN to accelerate this electrification process,” Allan said.