Tanjung Balai Station: More Than a Century of Connecting Communities Along North Sumatra's Coast

For more than a century, Tanjung Balai Station has remained at the heart of daily life for communities along the coast of North Sumatra. Located in Teluk Nibung, Tanjung Balai City, the station—now managed by KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra—continues to connect cities, regions, and generations through reliable rail transportation.

Established in 1915 by the Deli Spoorweg Maatschappij (DSM), the station originally served as a vital hub for transporting plantation commodities such as palm oil and rubber to Teluk Nibung Port, where they were shipped to Europe. More than a hundred years later, its role has evolved from a freight station into an essential transportation center that supports the social and economic life of coastal communities.

Every day, hundreds of passengers pass through the station. They include workers, students, traders, and residents traveling for medical appointments, family visits, or leisure. The station's primary service is the Putri Deli Train, which operates between Tanjung Balai and Medan with three round trips each day. The journey takes approximately four hours.

Between July and September 2025, the Putri Deli Train served more than 326,000 passengers, making it one of the busiest rail services in North Sumatra. With affordable fares and efficient travel times, it remains a preferred transportation option for local communities—not only because it is economical but also because it offers an environmentally friendly way to travel.

On average, 600 to 700 passengers use Tanjung Balai Station each day, totaling around 21,000 passengers every month. Beyond serving as a transportation hub, the station also offers a comfortable travel experience with modern facilities, including an air-conditioned waiting room, a prayer room, clean restrooms, ticket counters, a canteen, parking areas, and Check-In Counter (CIC) machines.

Strategically located in the city center, the station is easily accessible by motorized becak, a distinctive local mode of transportation that adds to the unique character of the surrounding area. Friendly station staff, the whistle signaling departures, and the sound of locomotives leaving the platform have become familiar parts of everyday life.

More than just a historic railway station, Tanjung Balai Station stands as a symbol of the perseverance and aspirations of North Sumatra's coastal communities. Every journey that begins here carries forward a legacy that bridges the region's rich history with its hopes for a brighter future.