Over 221,000 Long-Distance Train Passengers Expected to Depart During Today’s Peak of Post-Eid Return Travel
Ticket sales for PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) 2026 Eid (Lebaran) Transport period continue to show a positive trend as the return flow period begins. High public mobility keeps trains as the primary mode of transportation for post-holiday travel.
As of March 22, 2026, at 10:00 WIB, total ticket sales reached 3,910,868 tickets, representing 86.9 percent of the 4,498,696 seats provided across Long-Distance and Local Train services for travel between March 11 and April 1, 2026. Approximately 587,828 seats remain available for the return flow.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that the growth in sales reflects strengthening public trust in train services for Eid travel.
"The trend for travel by train has continued to rise since mid-March and is now entering the return flow phase. Passengers choose trains because they are comfortable and operate on a reliable schedule," said Anne.
For Long-Distance Train services, ticket sales reached 3,433,667, or 96.1 percent of the 3,571,760 total seats provided, leaving approximately 138,093 seats available for booking for return journeys.
Meanwhile, for Local Train services managed by KAI, sales reached 477,201 tickets, or 51.5 percent out of the 926,936 total seats available, leaving around 449,735 seats open. Local train ticket sales generally continue to increase closer to departure dates, as most services only open for booking 7 days prior to travel (H-7).
During the homecoming flow period (March 11–21, 2026), KAI served 1,888,827 Long-Distance Train passengers and 337,713 Local Train passengers across Java and Sumatra, bringing the total volume served to 2,226,540 passengers.
Daily long-distance train passenger volumes and occupancy rates for March 11–21, 2026, were recorded as follows:
• March 11: 101,617 passengers out of 159,404 seat capacity (63.7%)
• March 12: 126,208 passengers out of 159,404 seat capacity (79.2%)
• March 13: 165,675 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (101.4%)
• March 14: 185,873 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (113.7%)
• March 15: 180,836 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (110.6%)
• March 16: 173,753 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (106.3%)
• March 17: 191,413 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (117.1%)
• March 18: 205,842 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (125.9%)
• March 19: 196,324 passengers out of 163,432 seat capacity (120.1%)
• March 20: 167,659 passengers out of 160,252 seat capacity (104.6%)
• March 21: 193,583 passengers out of 161,100 seat capacity (120.2%)
Entering March 22, 2026, passenger movement remains significantly high. As of morning hours, at least 221,566 Long-Distance Train passengers are scheduled to depart within this single day, yielding a preliminary occupancy rate of 137.5 percent. This figure retains potential for growth as ticket sales remain ongoing.
Anne explained that occupancy rates exceeding 100 percent are possible in long-distance train operations due to dynamic travel patterns along a single route.
"On a single long-distance train trip, one seat can be used by more than one passenger across different route segments. This scheme allows the total number of passengers served to exceed the number of available physical seats on a route," Anne explained.
High-demand train services during the 2026 Eid Transport period include KA Airlangga, KA Joglosemarkerto, KA Sri Tanjung, KA Bengawan, KA Kahuripan, KA Rajabasa, and KA Jayakarta.
Nevertheless, the public still has opportunities to secure tickets, especially for return journeys, through alternative route options, different departure schedules, or connecting train schemes. KAI also encourages passengers to utilize connecting train services and select flexible travel dates to increase their chances of obtaining tickets.
"With capacity still available, KAI invites the public to plan their return journeys well in advance so that trips run more comfortably, smoothly, and enjoyably by train," Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI