Peak Homecoming Rush at Daop 8 Surabaya: 50,000 Passengers Crowd the Stations

The peak of the Lebaran Idulfitri 2026 homecoming rush at several stations under PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Daerah Operasi 8 Surabaya was reported today, Wednesday (18/3). At least more than 50,000 passengers departed and arrived in a single day.

Based on preliminary data for today, 50,814 homecoming passengers used trains. This figure consists of 28,391 departing passengers and 22,423 arriving passengers. The number is still likely to increase as train departure and arrival schedules continue until late at night.

“Today we project as the peak of the homecoming rush in the Daop 8 Surabaya region, with more than 50,000 customers served,” said Manager of Public Relations for KAI Daop 8 Surabaya, Mahendro Trang Bawono.

The three stations in the Daop 8 region with the highest passenger volumes today are Surabaya Gubeng Station with 16,351 passengers (10,423 boarding and 5,928 alighting), Surabaya Pasarturi Station with 15,888 passengers (9,050 boarding and 6,838 alighting), and Malang Station with 7,343 passengers (3,888 boarding and 3,455 alighting). These three stations serve as the main hubs for customer movement in the Daop 8 region during the Lebaran transport period.

“Cumulatively, during the Lebaran transport period from 11 to 18 March 2026, KAI Daop 8 Surabaya has served a total of 284,308 customers. This number consists of 184,838 departing passengers and 153,343 arriving passengers,” said Mahendro.

Meanwhile, long-distance train ticket sales up to Wednesday (18/3) have reached 402,510 tickets, or about 72 percent of the total capacity of 561,528 seats.

This sales figure is the accumulation for the departure period from 11 March 2026 (H-10) to 1 April 2026 (H+10), and is expected to continue increasing as Eid al-Fitr approaches.

“KAI Daop 8 Surabaya urges all customers to arrive at the station earlier and not cut it close to departure time to avoid the risk of missing the train,” said Mahendro.

In addition, the public is advised to consider alternative travel dates if preferred schedules are nearing full capacity, and to utilise connecting train services for greater flexibility in timing and routes.