Expanding Long-Distance Travel: KA Pandalungan 2 Begins Operation on June 18, Offering More Options for Gambir–Jember Route

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is expanding its long-distance travel options for the Gambir–Jember round-trip (PP) route by launching the KA Pandalungan 2, effective June 18, 2026. This service offers an additional travel alternative for the public commuting from Jakarta to Jember, Surabaya, Semarang, Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Probolinggo, Pasuruan, and several other cities along Java’s northern rail corridor.

The KA Pandalungan 2 will operate as train number KA 7049 for the Jember–Gambir relation and train number KA 7050 for the Gambir–Jember relation. Tickets are now available and can be booked seamlessly via the Access by KAI application as well as other certified KAI official ticket sales channels. To mark its inaugural run, KAI is offering an attractive 30 percent discount to customers eager to experience this new service.

KAI’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated that the operation of KA Pandalungan 2 is part of KAI’s commercial strategy to reinforce capacity along the Jakarta–Jember corridor. This additional frequency is designed to offer greater scheduling flexibility for passengers, matching the rising demand for intercity mobility spanning family visits, business trips, education, leisure, and cross-regional connectivity.

"We are introducing KA Pandalungan 2 to broaden travel options along the Jakarta–Jember corridor. This particular route holds a highly strategic value, as it links Jakarta with Jember alongside various pivotal cities across West Java, Central Java, and East Java within a single train journey," 

KAI notes that the previously operating KA Pandalungan service has consistently demonstrated strong market performance. Throughout 2025, the flagship service carried 409,200 passengers. From January to May 2026, it served 173,977 passengers, marking a 5.31 percent increase compared to the 165,197 passengers recorded during the same period in 2025.

According to Anne, this upward trend proves that the Jakarta–Jember relation possesses a robust customer base. Travel demand along this corridor stems from regular commuters, families, university students, corporate professionals, business owners, and tourists who require direct, predictably scheduled intercity rail transit.

"The steady performance of the KA Pandalungan network indicates that the transit volume on the Jakarta–Jember line remains exceptionally resilient. Therefore, the deployment of KA Pandalungan 2 is KAI's strategic response to scale up capacity, broaden departure window options, and support public mobility across all designated station stops," Anne explained.

Based on the official schedule, KA Pandalungan 2 (KA 7049) on the Jember–Gambir route will depart from Jember Station at 09:05 WIB and arrive at Gambir Station at 22:03 WIB. This train will call at Jember, Rambipuji, Tanggul, Klakah, Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Bangil, Sidoarjo, Surabaya Gubeng, Surabaya Pasarturi, Lamongan, Bojonegoro, Cepu, Ngrombo, Semarang Tawang, Pekalongan, Tegal, Cirebon, Cikarang, Jatinegara, and Gambir stations.

Conversely, KA Pandalungan 2 (KA 7050) on the Gambir–Jember route will depart from Gambir Station at 09:25 WIB and reach its final destination at Jember Station at 23:20 WIB. This service will make scheduled stops at Gambir, Bekasi, Cikarang, Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang Tawang, Ngrombo, Cepu, Bojonegoro, Lamongan, Surabaya Pasarturi, Surabaya Gubeng, Sidoarjo, Bangil, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Klakah, Tanggul, Rambipuji, and Jember stations.

Anne highlighted that the introduction of KA Pandalungan 2 also strengthens accessibility to premier tourist destinations across Jember and its adjacent areas. Jember is renowned for its diverse natural and cultural landmarks, such as Papuma Beach, Watu Ulo Beach, the Rembangan highland, Sukorambi Botanical Garden, the Tobacco Museum, and the world-renowned creative showcase, the Jember Fashion Carnaval.

"Passengers originating from Jakarta and cities along Java's northern line now enjoy far more flexible travel arrangements to reach Jember. Upon arriving at Jember Station, travelers can seamlessly continue their journey to localized tourist spots, educational zones, economic hubs, or across the wider Tapal Kuda (East Java's Eastern Salient) region," 

This potential aligns with the broader tourism growth in East Java. According to data from BPS (Statistics Indonesia) of East Java Province, domestic tourist trips destined for East Java reached a staggering 217.20 million trips throughout 2025. BPS East Java data also recorded that Jember Regency welcomed 540,368 domestic tourist arrivals as a designated target region in January 2026 alone. Meanwhile, BPS Jember Regency noted that the hotel Room Occupancy Rate (ROR) in Jember stood at 46.64 percent in July 2025.

Beyond Jember, the intermediate stops of KA Pandalungan 2 unlock immediate access to other iconic getaways. Passengers can access the Bromo volcanic region via Probolinggo and Pasuruan, explore the urban heritage of Surabaya via Surabaya Gubeng or Surabaya Pasarturi, visit the marine attractions of Lamongan, tour the historic Old Town (Kota Lama) of Semarang via Semarang Tawang, shop for traditional batik in Pekalongan, experience the Guci hot springs via Tegal, or immerse in the rich historical heritage of Cirebon.

According to Anne, the expansion of KA Pandalungan 2 triggers a wider positive socioeconomic ripple effect for the regions traversed by the line. The influx of passengers at various intermediate stations directly stimulates local accommodation sectors, culinary businesses, downstream transit providers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), educational hubs, trade sectors, and regional tourism assets.

"Every station stop possesses unique local dynamics and distinct economic potential. KA Pandalungan 2 cements the railway's role as an essential engine for inter-regional mobility while fostering new growth avenues for local economies surrounding our stations," 

KAI hopes that the operation of KA Pandalungan 2 will significantly assist the public in planning their travel to and from Jember. With this increased service frequency, customers gain optimized control over departure times, transit choices, and downstream connections across Java.

"Through KA Pandalungan 2, KAI continues to deliver transport services that are safe, comfortable, and highly aligned with the public's mobility needs. We hope this service effectively solidifies the Jakarta–Jember connection while actively driving regional tourism, education, corporate business, and local economic development," 

VP of Corporate Communication KAI