Lebaran Eve Exodus: 50,636 Train Passengers Depart from Jakarta

Ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026, the mudik exodus in Jakarta has seen a significant increase. Data from PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Daop 1 Jakarta recorded 50,636 train passengers leaving Jakarta from various stations on Friday, one day before Lebaran, while the number of arrivals in Jakarta was 18,162 people.

This phenomenon indicates the growing popularity of the mudik tradition among the public. Several stations in the Jakarta area have become departure hubs, particularly Pasar Senen and Gambir Stations, which are focal points for mudik travellers from the capital heading to various regions.

“Pasar Senen Station had the highest departure volume, with 18,802 passengers, followed by Gambir Station with 16,847 passengers and Bekasi with 8,647 passengers. For arrivals, the highest were at Pasar Senen Station with 7,061 passengers, Gambir with 4,559 passengers, and Jatinegara with 2,343 passengers,” said the Public Relations Manager of PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta, Franoto Wibowo.

PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta has prepared a total seating capacity of 1,083,623 seats for the 2026 Lebaran transport period. From 11 March to 1 April 2026, the cumulative number of tickets sold has reached 767,829 tickets.

“The average occupancy rate for the period from 11 March to 1 April 2026 is 71 per cent (dynamic data),” he stated.

In addition, PT KAI has introduced a fare discount programme of up to 30 per cent for commercial economy class during the period from 14 to 29 March 2026. Nationally, a total of 1.2 million seats are available, with a special allocation for Daop 1 Jakarta of 329,000 seats, and now approximately 46,000 seats remain.

“We invite the public to take advantage of the remaining available tickets, especially for the return flow period, and to arrive early at the stations to ensure smooth journeys,” Franoto advised.

Daily, PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta operates 68 regular long-distance passenger trains, 13 additional Lebaran trains from Gambir Station, seven additional trains from Pasar Senen Station, and four free motor trains.

Popular long-distance trains departing from Gambir Station include Pandalungan, Argo Semeru, Gunungjati, Cakrabuana, Pangandaran, and Batavia. Meanwhile, Pasar Senen Station is the favourite departure point for trains such as Bengawan, Airlangga, Serayu, Kertajaya, Jayakarta, and Progo.

“The favourite destinations for passengers during the Lebaran transport period are Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Purwokerto, Bandung, and Jember,” he added.