Transport Minister Reports to President on National Railway Network Development

The Ministry of Transportation is accelerating the development of the national railway network as part of efforts to strengthen inter-regional connectivity and promote more equitable economic growth. This was conveyed by Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi after attending a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday (11/6/2026). “This step is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, which positions railways as the foundation of a modern society and one of the hallmarks of a developed nation,” Dudy said in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday (12/6/2026). Dudy stated that the railway network development is being carried out to improve public mobility, strengthen the national logistics system, and deliver safer, more efficient, and sustainable public transport services. This effort is also part of the government’s strategy to reduce goods distribution costs and ease the burden on road transport. “The development of the national railway network is not merely about building transport infrastructure, but also about delivering tangible benefits to the public through better accessibility, more efficient logistics costs, and increasingly open economic opportunities in various regions,” he said. Dudy further noted that the Ministry of Transportation has recorded a continued positive trend in railway passenger numbers, with an increase of 8.8 percent, from 500.5 million passengers in 2024 to nearly 550 million passengers in 2025. He said this increase demonstrates the public’s growing trust in rail-based transport modes. Dudy stated that the active national railway network currently spans approximately 6,927 kilometres across Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua. Going forward, the government is targeting the development of the railway network to reach 10,524 kilometres, including urban networks that will serve as the backbone of public mobility. “Network development will be focused according to the characteristics of each region,” Dudy added.