“We discussed matters together earlier, and the main point is to ensure that multimodal transportation by land, sea, air, and of course, rail, can be optimally provided for the public,” Yudhoyono said during a working visit at Gambir Station, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
He said the visit to Gambir Station was conducted to directly review operational readiness, discuss strategic technical issues, and ensure that all aspects of railway transportation services run optimally for the public.
On that occasion, he and the KAI management also flagged off the Cakra Buwana train on the Gambir-Cirebon route and greeted passengers who chose rail transportation.
He stressed that safety remains the top priority in railway service operations, followed by punctuality and passenger comfort, which have long been KAI’s strengths and commitments.
He also encouraged continuous collaboration with KAI to improve service quality, including the implementation of a 30 percent fare discount for around 1.5 million passengers during the Christmas and New Year period.
Furthermore, Yudhoyono noted that based on KAI reports, train frequency has increased by 8.5 percent compared to the previous year, accompanied by a 3 percent rise in seating capacity, totaling 3.5 million seats.
He stressed the importance of anticipating technical factors and weather conditions as main concerns, given the potential increase in rainfall from the end of 2025 to January 2026, based on warnings issued by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin said the occupancy rate for train services has reached 83 percent, with peak demand expected on December 28, 2025, while the main return flow is projected to take place on January 3 and 4, 2026, nationwide.
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Translator: Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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