KAI Launches Special Train For Farmers-Merak Line Traders This Month

President Director of PT KAI Bobby Rasyidin gave a statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday (3/11/2025). ANTARA/Fathur Rochman

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) will soon launch a special train service for farmers and traders to distribute food production and other commodities with the Rangkasbitung-Merak route this month.

President Director of PT KAI Bobby Rasyidin explained that President Prabowo supports this special train service for farmers and traders to support the community's economy.

"He is very supportive, because this is support for the people's economy below, and he has also given several directions to increase the capacity of this farmer and trader train," Bobby said during a statement at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, November 3.

Bobby detailed that his party had prepared eight train units to accommodate the transportation of farmers and traders in distributing their production results with the Rangkasbitung-Merak route.

This special train for farmers and traders, said Bobby, will operate according to their activities, namely morning and evening.

However, KAI also plans to add other routes and routes in the future, after the Rangkasbitung-Merak route officially operates.

"We will launch it on Merak first, we will launch it on Merak first. This month we will launch it," said Bobby.

The farmer's train line will also be extended from Rangkasbitung Station to Tanah Abang Station.

KAI will also provide subsidies for the operation of farmers' trains, so that the tariff will certainly be cheaper than using trucks or cars. However, the amount of the subsidy is still being discussed.

"It will be cheaper than this. Because of the logic, these are traders who cannot afford to rent cars. Trucks. What is clear is that this is a subsidy for farmers and traders," said Bobby.

Last August, PT KAI conducted a trial operation of the economy train specifically for farmers and traders for the Surabaya Gubeng route, Lamongan, East Java.

This special train is designed to help the mobility of farmers and traders, as well as to facilitate the transportation of crops and merchandise more freely, safely, and efficiently.

According to KAI's Vice President of Public Relations, Anne Purba, the concept of a special train design for farmers and traders prioritizes the ease of access and a wider transportation space.

Seats are installed parallel to the left and right, so that the center space becomes a field to place agricultural products or merchandise, while facilitating movement in the train.