Peak Homecoming Travel 2026: North Sumatra Train Passengers Predicted to Reach 11,000 People
PT Kereta Api Indonesia Divisi Regional I Sumatra Utara predicts that the peak of the 2026 homecoming travel will occur on Wednesday (18/3) today. The number of customers is estimated to reach 11,000 people until midnight tonight.
Based on data up to 09:00 WIB, 9,960 customers have been recorded using train services in North Sumatra ahead of Eid 2026.
Acting Manager of Public Relations for KAI Divre I North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, stated that the figure still has potential to continue rising.
“Today is predicted to be the peak of homecoming travel. The number of passengers is estimated to touch 11,000 customers until 24:00 WIB, considering the availability of tickets for daytime to evening travel schedules,” said Anwar on Wednesday (18/3).
The increase in passenger volume has been significantly visible in the last few days. On Tuesday (17/3), 9,635 people were recorded travelling, and the trend continues to rise today. Year-on-year, this year’s customer volume shows a tendency to be higher compared to the same period last year.
At Medan Station as the main departure point, 4,344 customers were recorded departing this morning. This figure is predicted to continue increasing as the holiday approaches.
Throughout the 2026 Eid Transport period, KAI Divre I North Sumatra provides a total capacity of 238,000 seats. This capacity includes the addition of one economy class carriage on the KA Sribilah Fakultatif train which is coupled during the period of 14–20 March 2026.
In addition to regular customers, KAI Divre I North Sumatra today also departs 220 participants in the free homecoming programme from Medan–Rantauprapat using the KA Sribilah Fakultatif. The programme is an initiative of the North Sumatra Provincial Government.
To add comfort for homecomers amid the dense station, KAI Divre I North Sumatra presents additional services in the form of live music performances in the waiting room on the 2nd floor of Medan Station. This service is available on 18–19 March and 23–26 March 2026, divided into two sessions, namely 08:00–10:00 WIB and 14:00–16:00 WIB.
“This additional service is expected to minimise customer boredom while waiting for departure, especially during peak periods like now,” said Anwar.