Minister confirms acceleration of national railway network development

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has confirmed that the development of the national railway network will continue to be accelerated to strengthen inter-regional connectivity, improve transport efficiency, and promote more equitable economic growth. “This step is in line with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, who positions railways as the foundation of a modern society and one of the hallmarks of a developed nation,” the Minister said in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Friday. The Minister explained that the railway network development is being carried out to enhance public mobility, strengthen the national logistics system, and deliver safer, more efficient, and sustainable public transport services. This effort is also part of the government’s strategy to reduce goods distribution costs and ease the burden on road transport. He noted that developing the national railway network is not merely about building transport infrastructure, but also about delivering tangible benefits to the public through better accessibility, more efficient logistics costs, and greater economic opportunities across various regions. The Ministry of Transport recorded that the number of train passengers continues to show a positive trend, with an increase of 8.8 percent from 500.5 million passengers in 2024 to nearly 550 million passengers in 2025. “This increase demonstrates the growing public trust in rail-based transport modes,” the Minister said. Currently, the active national railway network spans 6,927 kilometres across Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua. Going forward, the Minister added, the government is targeting the development of the railway network to reach 10,524 kilometres, including urban networks that will serve as the backbone of public mobility. Network development will be focused according to the characteristics of each region. In Sumatra, railways are directed to support freight transport and public mobility, while in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua, the focus is on strengthening the distribution of key commodities and supporting regional economic activities. Several strategic projects currently being pushed include the construction of the Trans-Sumatra railway network, the development of logistics railways in Kalimantan, the completion of the Makassar-Parepare railway operations, and the development of urban rail services in various regions. In Java, development also includes increasing urban service capacity, line electrification, and the development of semi-high-speed and high-speed rail networks. The Minister confirmed he had presented the development of logistics trains and tourist trains, including the development of the Sumatra railway network, to President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday (11/6/2026). Logistics trains are directed to strengthen goods distribution efficiency and help reduce the burden on roads, while tourist trains can unlock added economic value in various regions. Additionally, his ministry also reported on the provision of train carriages for farmers and traders. “This programme is already running and has been well received by the public; these carriage services are available in Lebak, Garut, Cilacap, Jogya, Solo, Semarang, Blitar, Jember, and Banyuwangi,” the Minister explained. According to the Minister, strengthening the railway network will support equitable development by connecting economic growth centres, industrial zones, agricultural areas, ports, airports, and tourism destinations. This will enable the public to access faster, more comfortable, and affordable transport. Dudy also encouraged the involvement of local governments, business entities, operators, and all stakeholders so that national railway development can proceed more quickly, sustainably, and with safety as the top priority. Through the development of the national railway network, the Minister is optimistic that railways will increasingly serve as the backbone of Indonesia’s mass transport and logistics. “The presence of an increasingly extensive rail network is expected to improve the quality of life for the public, strengthen national competitiveness, and support the realisation of a more advanced and connected Indonesia,” Dudy said.