Boarding Without Tickets, KAI Relys On Face Recognition Saves Hundreds Of Millions

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) stated that it was able to save the budget for purchasing ticket paper rollers worth IDR 399,073,036 thanks to the use of facial recognition technology for passenger boarding processes.

"Cumulatively since the technology was launched from September 2022 to April 30, 2025, the total number of users has reached 11,158,263 passengers and KAI has saved the purchase of 26,605 ticket paper rollers worth Rp399,073,036," said KAI Vice President of Public Relations Anne Purba, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, May 4.

He conveyed specifically from January to April 2025, as many as 1,093,834 customers had used facial recognition technology facilities at KAI stations.

"During January-April 2025, the company saved the purchase of 2,604 ticket paper rollers with an efficiency value of IDR 39,065,500 in just four months," said Anne.

KAI continues to emphasize its commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through digitizing services that are not only practical, but also environmentally friendly. One of the concrete steps that have a direct impact is the use of face recognition technology.

Face recognition is not just innovation, but part of the environmental conscious movement. One facial scan is equivalent to one unnecessary ticket print. If multiplied by millions of passengers, the impact is very real," said Anne.

The reduction in paper waste is in line with the goals of SDGs point 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and supports the preservation of trees as the main raw material for paper.

Currently, the face recognition system is available at 21 stations spread across the first KAI operating areas of Daop 1 Jakarta including Gambir, Pasar Senen, Bekasi.

Second, Daop 2 Bandung includes Bandung, Kiaracondong; Daop 3 Cirebon namely Cirebon; Daop 4 Semarang covering Semarang Tawang Bank Central Java, Semarang Poncol, Pekalongan, Tegal; Daop 5 Purwokerto covering Purwokerto, Kutoarjo

Daop 6 Yogyakarta includes Yogyakarta, Lempuyangan, Solo Balapan; Daop 7 Madiun namely Madiun; Daop 8 Surabaya covering Surabaya Gubeng, Surabaya Pasarturi, Malang; Daop 9 Jember namely Jember; and Divre I North Sumatra namely Medan.

With the face recognition feature, customers simply scan their faces on the boarding gate, replace the officer's manual inspection and eliminate the need to print physical tickets for convenience and efficiency.

KAI guarantees the security of user data with an ISO 27001 standard system, and stores name data, NIK, and a maximum one year photo that can be deleted automatically or at the request of customers.

Data deletion can be done through the Access by KAI application or assisted by Customer Service officers, in line with the principles of transparency and control over personal data in KAI digital innovation.

In addition to facial recognition technology, KAI also installs water stations at the main station as part of the SDGs' initiative to reduce single-use plastics and support a sustainable lifestyle.