Garut–Cibatu Railway Line Resumes Operations

The Garut–Cibatu railway line has officially resumed operations following its inauguration by Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, accompanied by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) President Director Didiek Hartantyo and Garut Regent Rudy Gunawan, at Garut Station on Thursday (24 March).

The Garut–Cibatu railway line was first opened in 1889 and ceased operations in 1983. Recognising its significant potential, KAI began the reactivation process in 2018. As part of the reactivation of the 19-kilometre line, three stations have also resumed operations: Garut Station, Wanaraja Station, and Pasirjengkol Station.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) President Director Didiek Hartantyo expressed his appreciation to all parties whose support made the reactivation of the Garut–Cibatu railway line possible.

"We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, the West Java Provincial Government, the Garut Regency Government, and all the people of Garut Regency for their continued support for KAI. I would also like to thank every member of the community who actively participated in and enthusiastically supported the Garut–Cibatu railway reactivation from the very beginning. Today, together, we have become part of the history of bringing the Garut–Cibatu railway line back into operation," said Didiek.

Following the reactivation, Garut Station now features a new station building equipped with customer service areas, a VIP lounge, a lactation room, a health post, a security room, a mosque, accessible toilets, an MSME area, commercial spaces, ATMs, a children's playground, and various other facilities. At the same time, KAI has preserved the original Garut Station building as part of its commitment to protecting historical heritage.

Didiek explained that the reactivation aims to provide affordable railway transportation for the people of Garut and surrounding areas travelling to other cities. The service is expected to help improve the local economy by supporting tourism growth and creating opportunities for small businesses around the station to market their local products through the MSME Corner.

A total of 1,077 permanent and semi-permanent buildings along the railway corridor and 911 households were affected by the Garut–Cibatu railway reactivation project.

"As a form of appreciation, we have immortalised the names of all affected residents on commemorative plaques installed at each operating station. These plaques symbolise that this railway reactivation would not have been possible without the willingness of the people of Garut to relocate," said Didiek.

KAI has also implemented greening initiatives and renewable energy solutions at the new Garut Station. Previously, KAI planted 83 trees and other plants around the station to support the State-Owned Enterprises Green Indonesia programme. In total, KAI has planted approximately 56,000 trees at stations, offices, and various operational locations across its network. KAI has also installed a solar power generation system at Garut Station with a total capacity of 60 kWp.

During the same occasion, KAI also inaugurated the Cikuray Train, serving the Garut–Pasar Senen round-trip route, and the Garut Cibatuan Train, serving the Garut–Purwakarta round-trip route. The name Cikuray is taken from Mount Cikuray, one of Garut's most well-known mountains, famous for its beautiful natural scenery and popularity among hikers. The name reflects the hope that the Cikuray Train will contribute to increasing tourism in Garut.

The Cikuray Train is a long-distance service consisting of seven Economy Class coaches with a total capacity of 560 seats. The train operates two daily services:

1. Train No. 7047 (Garut – Pasar Senen): Departs Garut at 07:05 and arrives at Pasar Senen at 13:32.
2. Train No. 7048 (Pasar Senen – Garut): Departs Pasar Senen at 17:55 and arrives in Garut at 00:53.

Meanwhile, the Garut Cibatuan Train is a local service consisting of seven Economy Class coaches with a total capacity of 1,113 passengers. During the pandemic, local train services operate at a maximum of 70% capacity, allowing up to 780 passengers. The Garut Cibatuan Train operates four daily services:

1. Train No. 451E (Garut – Padalarang): Departs Garut at 06:05 and arrives at Padalarang at 10:23.
2. Train No. 441E (Garut – Purwakarta): Departs Garut at 10:55 and arrives at Purwakarta at 17:15.
3. Train No. 448E (Purwakarta – Garut): Departs Purwakarta at 04:10 and arrives in Garut at 10:29.
4. Train No. 442E (Purwakarta – Garut): Departs Purwakarta at 16:15 and arrives in Garut at 22:23.

The Cikuray Train and Garut Cibatuan Train began serving passengers on 25 March 2022. Tickets can be purchased through the KAI Access application, the official KAI website (kai.id), station ticket counters, and other authorised KAI ticket sales channels.

The Cikuray Train operates under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme, with fares of Rp45,000 for the Garut–Pasar Senen route. A special fare of Rp15,000 is available for the Garut–Purwakarta route and is sold only through go-show purchases starting three hours before departure. The Garut Cibatuan Train is also a PSO local train, with fares ranging from Rp6,000 to Rp14,000, depending on the travel distance.

In accordance with the Ministry of Transportation Circular Letter No. 25 of 2022, passengers on long-distance trains who have received their second (fully vaccinated) or third (booster) COVID-19 vaccine dose are not required to present a negative RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test result during boarding. Meanwhile, passengers on local train services are not required to present a negative RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test result. For further information regarding train travel requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, customers may contact the KAI Contact Center by phone at 121, via WhatsApp at 08111-2111-121, by email at [email protected], or through KAI121 social media channels.

Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir Flagged Off the Cikuray Train Using Railway Signal 40

"The operation of the Cikuray Train and Garut Cibatuan Train has been eagerly awaited by the community. We hope these services will improve connectivity, unlock new tourism potential, and contribute to economic growth in Garut and the surrounding areas," said Didiek.

During the inauguration of the Garut–Cibatu railway line reactivation, KAI also carried out Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programmes, including COVID-19 vaccination services and the distribution of 500 food aid packages containing sweetened condensed milk, instant noodles, tea, soy sauce, and canned sardines, with a total assistance value of Rp30 million.

In addition, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir inaugurated Al-Barru Mosque at Garut Station. The mosque is part of KAI's Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility programme, following the earlier construction of a mosque at Cibatu Station. These mosques serve not only as facilities for railway passengers but also as places of worship for the surrounding community.

"With the Garut–Cibatu railway line now back in operation, let us work together to protect this public infrastructure and make rail transport the preferred mode of travel to and from Garut," Didiek concluded. (Public Relations KAI)