Perlanaan Station Supports Community Mobility and Economic Growth
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Regional Division I North Sumatra recorded 55,077 passengers using rail services at Perlanaan Station, Simalundun, during the first half of 2026, representing a 9 per cent growth. This increase coincides with the station’s strengthening role as a strategic hub for logistics transport in North Sumatra.
Anwar Yuli Prastyo, Manager of Public Relations for KAI Divre I North Sumatra, stated that Perlanaan Station plays a highly strategic role, not only serving public mobility through two main routes but also acting as a critical node for regulating freight movement in the region. “Perlanaan Station is in a vital position connecting passenger transport and industrial logistics. Through the Putri Deli and Sribilah Utama trains, the public benefits from easier mobility, while on the freight side, this station serves as a driver for the distribution of the region’s primary commodities,” Anwar said in a statement.
Located in Perlanaan Village, Bandar District, Simalungun Regency, the station is directly connected to the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ). From this hub, container trains transport industrial commodities from the SEZ to two major ports in North Sumatra, namely the Port of Belawan and the Port of Kuala Tanjung.
In addition to containers, Perlanaan Station holds a significant position in the crude palm oil (CPO) supply chain. The station is connected to the Gunung Bayu Palm Oil Mill as a loading point for CPO before it is transported to the ports. Conversely, it also facilitates the transport of CPO from other mills to the Sei Mangkei SEZ to serve as raw material for tenants within the zone.
“Through these container and CPO commodity services, Perlanaan Station tangibly connects the regional industrial potential of Simalungun directly to global markets and international ports,” he explained.
In the passenger sector, growth trends have shown positive performance over the last three years. In 2024, the station served 42,665 passengers; in 2025, this grew by 19 per cent to 50,645 passengers; and in the first half of 2026, it grew by a further 9 per cent to 55,077 passengers.
“Passenger services at this station provide ease of mobility for the local community and workers from the Sei Mangkei SEZ, for both work and personal matters, with easier connectivity to Medan City and Kualanamu International Airport, thereby supporting the economic activities of the region,” he continued.
The presence of two main services, namely the Putri Deli train (Medan–Tanjungbalai return) and the Sribilah Utama train (Medan–Rantauprapat return), provides improved accessibility for the people of eastern Simalungun to reach economic growth centres. KAI Divre I North Sumatra aims to continue enhancing services at Perlanaan Station to optimise its role as a hub for community mobility and a logistics distribution centre.