Over 304,000 Customers Travel with KA Mutiara Timur, Connecting Surabaya–Banyuwangi to the Gateway to Bali

KA Mutiara Timur is one of the travel options connecting Surabaya with destinations in eastern Java, all the way to Ketapang, Banyuwangi. From January to September 2026, the service was used by 304,522 customers, an increase of 22.78% compared with the same period in 2025, when it served 248,021 customers.

This growth went hand in hand with the high level of travel activity to Banyuwangi. Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) of East Java Province recorded 1,846,509 domestic tourist trips to Banyuwangi Regency from January to April 2026, consisting of 440,889 trips in January, 339,120 in February, 672,300 in March, and 394,200 trips in April.

Vice President of Corporate Communication KAI Anne Purba said that KA Mutiara Timur offers an appealing travel experience by connecting Surabaya with several cities in eastern Java while also providing access to various tourist destinations.

“Mutiara Timur gives customers a wide range of travel options. From Surabaya, customers can reach cities in eastern Java, explore Banyuwangi, and then continue their journey to Bali via Ketapang,” said Anne.

KA Mutiara Timur serves the Surabaya–Ketapang route (PP), offering Executive and Economy Class services. On certain trips, a Panoramic Train is also available, offering customers the experience of enjoying the scenery along the journey with a wider field of view.

The appeal of Banyuwangi can also be seen during holiday periods. The Banyuwangi Regency Government recorded 240,632 domestic and international tourists visiting during the Eid holiday from March 18 to 29, 2026. During the long holiday from May 27 to June 1, 2026, the number of visitors reached 90,968, consisting of 89,870 domestic tourists and 1,098 international tourists.

This connectivity continues to Ketapang Station, which is located near Ketapang Port. From January to September 2026, the station recorded 615,161 customer boarding and alighting movements, an increase of 8.56% compared with the same period in 2025, when it recorded 566,643 movements. Of this total, 292,618 customers departed from Ketapang Station and 322,543 customers arrived at the station.

From Ketapang Station, customers can continue their journey to Ketapang Port and cross by ferry to Gilimanuk, Bali. The high level of mobility along this corridor was evident on May 31, 2026, when ASDP recorded 29,075 passengers and 9,092 vehicles traveling on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk crossing in a single day during the long holiday return flow.

For customers, this connectivity provides broader travel options: from train journeys to cities and destinations in Banyuwangi, followed by a ferry connection to Bali. At the same time, customer movements interact with local transportation, accommodation, culinary businesses, trade, and various tourism activities in the region.

“A customer’s journey can continue long after they leave the train. When stations are connected to ports and various destinations, connectivity becomes more comprehensive. We want train travel to help open up greater access for people to travel, meet their families, and drive economic activity in the regions,” Anne concluded.

VP Corporate Communication KAI