KAI President Director: 81 Years of Indonesia’s Railway Journey Began with History and Moves Toward the Future
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) commemorated its 81st Anniversary through The Continuum – Timeless Transformation event held at Ciputra Artpreneur Jakarta on Monday (September 28). Highlighting the long journey of Indonesia’s railway industry, the event served as a moment to reflect on history, transformation, and KAI’s development direction in providing services that remain increasingly relevant to society.
The celebration was attended by government representatives, stakeholders, customers, communities, business partners, and various elements that have been part of KAI’s journey for more than eight decades. The theme The Continuum – Timeless Transformation represents KAI’s continuous development in adapting to changing times while maintaining its values of service and innovation.
President Director of KAI Bobby Rasyidin said KAI’s 81-year journey cannot be separated from the long history of Indonesia’s railway industry, which began with the construction of the first railway line from Semarang to Tanggung in 1867.
“KAI’s journey began with the long history of Indonesia’s railway industry. From the first Semarang–Tanggung line, it continued to develop through various transformations into PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) as it is today,” said Bobby.
Bobby explained that September 28 is an important moment in KAI’s history because on that date in 1945, Indonesian railway workers took over the railway office from the Japanese authorities in Bandung. The event became part of the journey toward railway management by the Indonesian people.
Over time, Indonesia’s railway organization underwent various changes, from Djawatan Kereta Api Republik Indonesia (DKARI), Perusahaan Negara Kereta Api (PNKA), Perusahaan Umum Kereta Api (Perumka), to becoming PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero).
Entering its 81st year, KAI continues to transform through improvements in customer service quality, connectivity development, product innovation, and strengthening the role of railways in supporting public mobility and national economic growth.
Based on its January–August 2026 performance, KAI Group recorded 351,602,397 customers, an increase of 7.09 percent compared with the same period the previous year. In terms of freight transportation, KAI recorded a volume of 44,905,963 tons, consisting of 36,854,758 tons of coal transportation and 8,051,205 tons of non-coal transportation.
This performance demonstrates the role of railways in supporting public mobility needs while also supporting national logistics distribution through rail-based freight services.
Bobby said KAI continues to introduce various service innovations to address public needs. Throughout 2026, KAI introduced various service developments, ranging from Kereta Api Kerakyatan with more affordable services, Kereta Petani dan Pedagang to support community economic activities, to the development of railway-based tourism travel services.
“Over the past year, KAI has continued to introduce various service innovations. All of these are part of our efforts to provide an increasingly better travel experience for customers,” said Bobby.
Bobby also expressed his appreciation to all KAI employees, regulators, business partners, customers, and all stakeholders who have been part of the company’s journey.
“Thank you to all KAI employees, stakeholders, and our loyal customers. This 81-year journey is part of a collective effort to continue providing the best service to society,” said Bobby.
Looking ahead, KAI continues to prepare for the development of the national railway industry through strengthening networks and services across various regions of Indonesia. These developments include expanding connectivity beyond Java as well as supporting rail-based transportation to strengthen the tourism sector and regional economic growth.
Through The Continuum – Timeless Transformation, KAI invites the public to see Indonesia’s railway journey as a continuous journey moving from the past toward the future, carrying a long history, innovation, and the spirit of Semakin Melayani.
VP Corporate Communication KAI