Serving the Southern Line for Over Five Decades, KA Mutiara Selatan Serves 185,808 Customers in January–May 2026

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) noted that the KA Mutiara Selatan on the Bandung–Surabaya Gubeng round-trip route served 185,808 customers throughout January–May 2026. This number represents an increase of 14,555 customers or 8.50 percent compared to the same period in 2025, which saw 171,253 customers.

Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that the growth of KA Mutiara Selatan demonstrates that long-distance services along Java's southern line still possess strong potential in meeting public mobility needs.

“KA Mutiara Selatan has a distinctive travel character. This service connects Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng through major cities in West Java, Central Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, and East Java. The customer growth in the first five months of 2026 shows that KA Mutiara Selatan remains highly relevant for family trips, education, employment, tourism, and intercity visits,”

On a monthly basis, KA Mutiara Selatan served 39,386 customers in January 2026, 30,964 customers in February, 39,672 customers in March, 38,907 customers in April, and 36,879 customers in May. The highest volume occurred in March 2026, with a 43.62 percent increase compared to March 2025, which recorded 27,622 customers.

This performance can also be understood through the context of the regions served. Based on 2026 BPS data, the provinces connected along the KA Mutiara Selatan line have a large population base, namely West Java with 51.16 million people, Central Java with 38.57 million people, the Special Region of Yogyakarta with 3.80 million people, and East Java with 42.35 million people. Combined, this line operates through an area with approximately 135.88 million residents.

In addition to a strong population base, the regions traversed by KA Mutiara Selatan also experience high tourism activity. BPS recorded that domestic tourist trips to East Java throughout 2025 reached 217.20 million trips, while domestic tourist trips to Central Java throughout 2025 reached 146.25 million trips. For the Special Region of Yogyakarta, domestic tourist trips from January to December 2025 increased by 6.74 percent compared to the previous year.

According to Anne, this data illustrates that KA Mutiara Selatan operates on a strategic route. Customers from Bandung and surrounding areas can reach various cities along the southern line up to Surabaya, while customers from East Java have a direct travel choice towards Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Priangan, and up to Bandung.

KA Mutiara Selatan serves several major stopping points: Bandung, Kiaracondong, Cipeundeuy, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis, Banjar, Sidareja, Maos, Kroya, Gombong, Kebumen, Kutoarjo, Yogyakarta, Solo Balapan, Madiun, Nganjuk, Kertosono, Jombang, Mojokerto, and Surabaya Gubeng. This distribution of stops allows KA Mutiara Selatan to act as a connector between educational hubs, trade centers, tourist destinations, family residential areas, and cities with constantly growing economic activities.

“Each stopping point has its own story and varying customer needs. There are customers boarding from Bandung to Yogyakarta for education, from East Priangan to Surabaya for work, or from East Java to Bandung for family visits and tourism. KAI continues to maintain this service to ensure customer journeys run safely, comfortably, and orderly,”

From a historical perspective, KA Mutiara Selatan holds a special place in the journey of intercity train services in Indonesia. This service began operations on August 17, 1972, coinciding with the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. From its inception, Mutiara Selatan was known as a night train journey connecting Bandung and Surabaya via Java's southern line.

This long history has made Mutiara Selatan deeply attached to the memories of multiple generations. In its early days of operation, the service was known for providing executive and business classes. In line with changing customer needs, its service classes and routes were adjusted several times, including once extending its journey to Malang. Today, KA Mutiara Selatan operates on the Bandung–Surabaya Gubeng round-trip route offering Executive and Premium Economy services.

Anne conveyed that the long history of KA Mutiara Selatan demonstrates the ability of railway services to continuously adapt to customer needs. The name Mutiara Selatan has been maintained due to its strong historical value, while the onboard services are continuously updated to align with modern public travel.

“KA Mutiara Selatan is a service that embodies historical value while serving a vital role in present-day mobility. More than five decades after its first arrival, this train remains a top choice for customers on Java's southern line. KAI's task is to safeguard this service heritage with ever-improving standards of safety, comfort, and service,” 

VP of Corporate Communication at KAI.