The Government and KAI Group Safeguard Public Mobility Through PSO Railway Services

For many Indonesians, trains have become an essential part of everyday life. Some workers depart before sunrise to earn a living for their families. Students travel long distances to pursue their education. Small traders transport their goods so they can continue running their businesses from one city to another.

Across regions connected by the railway network, trains have become a form of public transportation that keeps people moving through affordable fares. These services also provide access to economic opportunities, education, healthcare, and everyday social activities.

Behind these journeys, the government plays an important role through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme, which provides fare subsidies for railway transportation through the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia.

PSO services have become one of the key pillars of public mobility by providing safe, efficient, and affordable mass transportation across various regions. These services also help maintain regional connectivity and support the productive activities of communities throughout Indonesia.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) recorded that subsidized Long-Distance and Local Train services under the PSO scheme served 6,221,378 customers during the January–April 2026 period.

In addition to Long-Distance and Local Train services operated by KAI, the government also subsidizes all Commuter Line and Jabodebek LRT services, as well as selected services operated by KAI Airport Rail.

Services operated by KAI Commuter recorded 136,585,949 customers during January–April 2026.

Meanwhile, Jabodebek LRT served 10,667,038 customers during the same period.

Subsidized services operated by KAI Airport Rail recorded a total of 2,334,929 customers between January and April 2026.

These services include the YIA Regular Airport Rail, which provides connectivity to Yogyakarta International Airport, as well as the Srilelawangsa Train operating on the Medan–Kualanamu and Medan–Binjai routes, which has become an important part of daily mobility in North Sumatra.

Vice President of Corporate Communication KAI, Anne Purba, stated that PSO services have a broad social impact because they directly support people's daily needs.

“Every train journey carries the hopes of the people who rely on it. There are parents working to support their families, young people pursuing education, and traders keeping their businesses running. That is why PSO services play an important role in ensuring that public mobility remains accessible and affordable,” said Anne.

Anne added that the high customer volume demonstrates the growing public trust in rail-based public transportation as a safe, efficient, and sustainable mode of daily travel.

According to Anne, PSO services also highlight the importance of continued government support for rail-based public transportation so that the benefits of connectivity and affordability can continue to be enjoyed by communities across the country.

“Railways have become an integral part of people's everyday mobility. When safe and affordable transportation services remain accessible, economic, educational, and social activities can continue to thrive. Therefore, the sustainability of rail-based public transportation is essential to supporting the mobility of the Indonesian people,” Anne concluded.

VP Corporate Communication KAI