Passenger Interest in KAI's Suite Class Compartment Trains Surges, Early 2026 Up Nearly 72 Percent
Public demand for PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI)’s Suite Class Compartment train service continues to grow significantly. From January to February 2026, the premium service carried 8,236 passengers, up about 71.96% compared with the same period in 2025 (4,789).
The rise also shows year-on-year growth. In 2025, the Suite Class Compartment carried 42,118 passengers, up 47.8% from 2024’s 28,496. This growth indicates that premium rail travel is increasingly popular among passengers who prioritise comfort, privacy and a different travel experience.
Anne Purba, Vice President of Corporate Communications at KAI, explained that the service is designed to provide a calmer and more personal travel experience. Each passenger enjoys their journey within a private compartment, creating a more comfortable atmosphere on the train. The space allows passengers to carry out various activities during the journey, such as resting, working, and enjoying long-distance travel with greater freedom.
The Suite Class Compartment trains are designed with modern interiors that attend to ergonomics and comfort. Each compartment is equipped with premium facilities, including:
Seats that can recline to become beds
Personal entertainment system
Adjustable lighting
Private space that provides comfort during the journey
With this concept, the interior of the train feels more like a private space, allowing intercity travel to be enjoyed more calmly.
Currently, this service operates on several of KAI’s flagship trains, namely:
KA Bima on Gambir – Surabaya Gubeng (round trip)
KA Argo Semeru on Gambir – Surabaya Gubeng (round trip)
KA Argo Bromo Anggrek on Gambir – Surabaya Pasar Turi (round trip)
These routes form main transport corridors connecting Jakarta with major cities on the island of Java, with high passenger mobility.
In addition to comfort, the service also offers passengers the opportunity to enjoy various attractions along the rail line. Several cities such as Semarang, Yogyakarta and Surabaya offer a range of attractions, from culture and cuisine to heritage areas, making the travel experience begin even before arrival at destination.
Anne Purba added that the growth in passenger numbers shows the public’s increasing interest in rail travel with premium service. “The Suite Class Compartment provides a more personal travel experience, allowing customers to enjoy the journey more comfortably while making rail travel part of the travel experience,” she said.
PT Kereta Api Indonesia Sumatera Barat (Sumbar) urges the public not to engage in activities around the tracks, including waiting for breaking fast or ngabuburit. Ticket availability in Divre I North Sumatra is actually still sufficient. Moreover, from 11 March or the start of the Lebaran transport period, PT KAI Daop 1 Jakarta notes 103 thousand seats are still available for Lebaran 2026 period 11–20 March. The government also offers a 30% discount for Economy Commercial trains on 14–29 March. As of 14 February 2026 at 11.00 WIB, 724,965 tickets had been sold for the 13–17 February 2026 departure period out of a total of 825,133 seats.
KAI Daop 2 Bandung provides a total of 67,510 seats during the five-day long Lunar New Year holiday period.