KAI Heritage Week 2026 Invites the Public to Trace the Roots of Indonesia’s Railways from Semarang to Kedungjati
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) brings history to life through KAI Heritage Week 2026 by organizing a Joy Ride aboard a Special Train (KLB) on the Semarang Tawang–Tanggung–Kedungjati route on Friday (September 25). The journey invites participants to retrace the early history of Indonesia’s railways, which began in the Semarang area of Central Java.
KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin said that this heritage activity is part of the company’s efforts to introduce the long history of Indonesia’s railways to the public.
“KAI Heritage Week 2026 carries the theme of Indonesia’s history, heritage, culture, and national identity. Through this journey, we can look back at how the railway has a long history, from its early construction to its development into a mode of transportation that serves the people of Indonesia,” said Bobby.
The KLB journey begins at Semarang Tawang Station, one of the historic stations that has played an important role in the development of the railway network in Central Java. From Semarang, the journey continues to Tanggung Station, a location of historical significance as part of Indonesia’s first railway line.
The history of Indonesia’s railways began with the construction of the approximately 25-kilometer Semarang–Tanggung railway line by Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS). Construction of the line began with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 17, 1864, in Kemijen, Semarang.
Following the construction process, the Semarang–Tanggung line officially began operating on August 10, 1867. This event marked the beginning of Indonesia’s railway journey, opening a new era of rail-based transportation that connected people and facilitated the distribution of goods between regions.
Tanggung Station became one of the witnesses to this early journey. Its presence reflects the first phase of railway development in Indonesia, when railway lines began to be built to support public mobility and economic activities.
From Tanggung Station, the KLB journey continues to Kedungjati Station, which played an important role in the development of the railway network in Central Java. During the early development of the railway, Kedungjati became a strategic point connecting various routes to other regions.
Kedungjati developed as part of the NIS network, with connections to Surakarta and Ambarawa. One of its historical milestones was the opening of the Kedungjati–Ambarawa line on May 21, 1873, which expanded the railway network and strengthened connectivity between regions in Central Java.
“Tanggung Station reminds us how Indonesia’s railway journey began in 1867. Meanwhile, Kedungjati shows how the railway network continued to develop and connect various regions. Through this historical journey, we can see that railways have played an important role in Indonesia’s national journey,” said Bobby.
As part of KAI Heritage Week 2026, the heritage journey is also complemented by various activities at Tanggung Station and Kedungjati Station, ranging from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) handover ceremony and plaque unveiling to a fashion show and theatrical performance highlighting stories from railway history.
Through these activities, KAI creates an experience that connects the public with the historical heritage of Indonesia’s railways. Heritage areas such as Tanggung Station and Kedungjati Station serve as spaces for learning about the development of rail transportation in Indonesia, while also offering potential for the development of history-based tourism.
Bobby said that the long journey of Indonesia’s railways has laid the foundation for KAI’s transformation to this day.
“159 years ago, the history of Indonesia’s railways began with the Semarang–Tanggung line. Today, we can see how that journey has continued to develop and become an important part of serving the public. KAI will continue to preserve this historical value while providing increasingly customer-focused railway services,” said Bobby.
KAI Heritage Week 2026 serves as a moment to commemorate the long journey of Indonesia’s railways, from the initial Semarang–Tanggung line to the development of a transportation network connecting various regions across Indonesia.
VP Corporate Communication KAI