Still a Passenger Favorite, Mutiara Selatan Train Served 185,808 Customers from January to May 2026

The Mutiara Selatan Train continues to prove its reputation as one of the most preferred railway services along Java's southern corridor. With more than five decades of service, the Bandung–Surabaya Gubeng route remains a reliable choice for customers traveling for work, education, tourism, business, and family visits.

From January to May 2026, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded 185,808 passengers traveling on the Mutiara Selatan Train, an increase of 14,555 passengers, or 8.50%, compared to 171,253 passengers during the same period in 2025.

KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said the steady growth reflects the train's enduring appeal and its important role in supporting long-distance travel across southern Java.

"The Mutiara Selatan Train offers a distinctive travel experience by connecting Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng through major cities in West Java, Central Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, and East Java. The passenger growth recorded during the first five months of 2026 demonstrates that Mutiara Selatan continues to meet the needs of customers traveling for family visits, education, work, tourism, and intercity trips," Anne said.

On a monthly basis, the train served 39,386 passengers in January, 30,964 in February, 39,672 in March, 38,907 in April, and 36,879 in May. March recorded the highest monthly volume, representing a 43.62% increase compared to the same month last year.

The continued popularity of the Mutiara Selatan Train is closely linked to the strategic corridor it serves. The route connects four provinces with a combined population of approximately 135.88 million people—West Java, Central Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, and East Java—making it one of Indonesia's busiest travel corridors.

The route also connects a wide range of destinations, including educational centers, commercial districts, tourist attractions, and growing economic hubs. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), domestic tourist trips to East Java reached 217.20 million throughout 2025, while Central Java welcomed 146.25 million domestic tourist trips during the same period. Tourist travel to Yogyakarta also continued to increase compared with the previous year.

According to Anne, these factors position the Mutiara Selatan Train as a convenient and dependable transportation option for a wide variety of travel needs.

The train serves key stations including Bandung, Kiaracondong, Tasikmalaya, Banjar, Kroya, Kebumen, Kutoarjo, Yogyakarta, Solo Balapan, Madiun, Jombang, Mojokerto, and Surabaya Gubeng, providing customers with seamless access to major destinations across Java's southern region.

"Every station along the route serves customers with different travel purposes. Some are heading to university, others are traveling for work, business, tourism, or family visits. KAI remains committed to ensuring every journey aboard the Mutiara Selatan Train is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable," Anne added.

Beyond its role as a transportation service, the Mutiara Selatan Train also holds a special place in Indonesia's railway history. First introduced on 17 August 1972, the train has been part of generations of memorable journeys for more than 50 years. While preserving its historical identity, KAI continues to modernize the service to meet the evolving expectations of today's passengers.

Today, the Mutiara Selatan Train operates with Executive Class and Premium Economy Class, offering customers a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

"The Mutiara Selatan Train represents both a rich railway heritage and a modern transportation service. More than five decades after its inaugural journey, it continues to be one of the preferred choices for passengers traveling across southern Java. KAI remains committed to preserving this legacy by continuously enhancing safety, comfort, and service quality for every customer," Anne concluded.