Return Traffic Increases, Long-Distance Train Ticket Sales Reach 101.2% of Eid Capacity
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) has recorded positive trends in Eid al-Fitr 2026 transport ticket sales as the return traffic period begins. High societal mobility has made trains the preferred choice for returning to hometowns after celebrating Idulfitri in rural areas.
As of Tuesday (24/3) at 10:00 WIB, 4,195,627 tickets have been sold, representing 93.3% of the total 4,498,696 seats provided from 11 March to 1 April 2026.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba stated that this sales increase reflects growing public confidence in train services.
“The trend of train travel has been rising since mid-March and is now entering the return phase. Society chooses trains because they are more comfortable and on schedule,” said Anne.
For long-distance train services, ticket sales have reached 3,616,273 tickets or 101.2% of the total 3,571,760 seats available. Meanwhile, local train ticket sales stand at 579,354 tickets or 62.5% of the total 926,936 seats. Seat availability remains open, particularly due to customer travel patterns that do not always cover the full route from origin to destination stations.
During the Eid transport period from 11 to 23 March 2026, KAI served 2,378,680 long-distance train passengers and 441,494 local train passengers, totalling 2,820,174 passengers on Java and Sumatra. This achievement indicates steadily increasing societal mobility day by day.
The increase is evident in daily passenger volumes and long-distance train occupancy rates, which continue to rise. On 22 March, there were 242,773 passengers with 150.7% occupancy, rising to 246,987 passengers with 154.1% occupancy on 23 March.
Entering Tuesday (24/3), passenger movement remains very high. By morning, at least 225,193 long-distance train passengers were scheduled to depart with temporary occupancy at 137.8%, and this figure could still increase.
This situation is also influenced by societal travel patterns involving returns after performing Idulfitri prayers in urban areas, keeping travel volumes high during the return period.
Anne explained that occupancy rates above 100% are possible due to dynamic customer travel patterns within a single train consist.
“In a long-distance train journey, one seat can be used by more than one passenger on different routes. This scheme allows the number of passengers served to exceed the number of available seats,” clarified Anne.
Amid high demand, several trains with high booking rates during the 2026 Eid transport period include KA Airlangga, KA Joglosemarkerto, KA Sri Tanjung, KA Bengawan, KA Kahuripan, KA Rajabasa, and KA Jayakarta.
Nevertheless, the public still has opportunities to obtain return tickets through alternative routes, different departure schedules, or onward travel schemes. KAI also urges customers to utilise connecting train services and choose more flexible travel dates.
“With remaining capacity, KAI invites the public to plan return journeys promptly for a more comfortable, smooth, and enjoyable trip by train,” concluded Anne.