Return Travel Remains Strong as Eid Ticket Sales Reach 104.7 Percent
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) records that the return flow of the 2026 Eid (Lebaran) Transport period continues at high intensity. Passenger trips remain steady across various routes with an increasingly distributed movement pattern throughout the day.
A surge in passenger volume has remained consistent over recent days. On March 22, the total number of passengers reached 242,810 (150.7 percent), which increased on March 23 to 247,025 passengers (154.1 percent), and peaked on March 24 with 250,650 passengers (153.4 percent). On March 25, volume remained high at 230,784 passengers (141.2 percent).
These achievements surpassed last year's record for the highest daily long-distance train passenger volume of 223,348 passengers, while highlighting a strong and evenly distributed return flow.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, noted that passenger movement reflects a shift toward more flexible travel patterns.
"Since mid-March, passenger volume has continuously increased and remains in the return flow phase. Trains are chosen because they offer schedule certainty and comfort during travel," said Anne.
As of March 28, 2026, at 09:00 WIB, intercity and local ticket sales reached 4,711,428 tickets out of the total 4,498,696 seat capacity, or 104.7 percent.
Out of this total, Long-Distance Trains recorded 3,978,211 passengers, or 111.4 percent of the 3,571,760 seat capacity. Meanwhile, Local Trains reached 733,217 passengers, or 79.1 percent of the 926,936 available seats.
Throughout the period from March 11 to March 27, 2026, KAI served 3,944,437 passengers, consisting of 3,299,836 Long-Distance Train passengers and 644,601 Local Train passengers. Volume increases occurred gradually from the start of the period, reaching peak levels during the return flow phase.
Daily long-distance train passenger volumes and occupancy rates for March 11–27, 2026, were recorded as follows:
• March 11: 101,617 passengers (63.7%)
• March 12: 126,208 passengers (79.2%)
• March 13: 165,675 passengers (101.4%)
• March 14: 185,873 passengers (113.7%)
• March 15: 180,836 passengers (110.6%)
• March 16: 173,753 passengers (106.3%)
• March 17: 191,413 passengers (117.1%)
• March 18: 205,842 passengers (125.9%)
• March 19: 196,324 passengers (120.1%)
• March 20: 167,659 passengers (104.6%)
• March 21: 193,583 passengers (120.2%)
• March 22: 242,810 passengers (150.7%)
• March 23: 247,025 passengers (154.1%)
• March 24: 250,650 passengers (153.4%)
• March 25: 230,784 passengers (141.2%)
• March 26: 221,283 passengers (135.4%)
• March 27: 218,345 passengers (133.6%)
Entering March 28, 2026, passenger movement remains active. As of morning hours, 196,615 Long-Distance Train passengers are scheduled to depart within the day, reaching a preliminary occupancy rate of 120.3 percent, with potential for further increases.
Anne explained that occupancy rates exceeding 100 percent are a standard operational characteristic of long-distance train travel.
"On a single journey, passengers board and disembark at various stations, allowing one seat to be used by more than one passenger across different route segments," Anne explained.
KAI invites the public to utilize available alternative departure schedules and routes. In addition, the Promo Silaturahmi program offers a 20 percent ticket discount for Executive class valid for travel between March 25 and April 1, 2026.
High-demand train services during the Eid period include KA Joglosemarkerto, KA Airlangga, KA Sri Tanjung, KA Bengawan, KA Kahuripan, KA Rajabasa, and KA Jayakarta.
"Passenger turnover across intermediate stations provides seat availability options. Journeys can still be planned with greater flexibility," Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI