Impact Of The Floods In Semarang, Long-distance Train Trips Via The Southern Line

The long-distance train journey rotated via the southern route due to flooding in Semarang, Central Java. (Photo: Doc. PT KAI)

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) will divert the long-distance train (KA) journey via the Southern Line. This was done by floods in the Semarang area and its surroundings.

As is known, very high rainfall since Saturday, December 31, 2022 in the morning caused flooding that inundated several points of railway lines and activities at Semarang Tawang Station.

According to this morning, rain was still happening and the water was still inundating Semarang Tawang Station as high as 20 cm. Then on the train route between Semarang Tawang Station - Alastua at km 2+2 to 4+6 the downstream waterway reaches 28 cm, while at km 2+4 to 4+4 the upstream water level route is 26 cm.

KAI VP Public Relations Joni Martinus said that due to the very high rainfall, passenger services at Semarang Tawang Station have been diverted to Semarang Poncol Station.

As for the train journey that will cross the area, operational engineering will be carried out such as diversion of travel, turning through the southern route, namely Solo Balapan Station, and efforts to use special locomotives to pass through inundated routes.

Joni said, for the train trip with the final destination of Surabaya Pasar Turi Station, we will continue to try to get through the northern route.

"Meanwhile, train trips other than the final destination of Surabaya Pasar Turi Station will be diverted via the southern route through Solo Balapan Station and Cirebon," he said, in official information, Sunday, January 1.

Joni said, KAI would like to apologize profusely for the disruption of train travel caused by this natural disaster. KAI together with all stakeholders continue to do their best to immediately normalize the railway line and train operations.

"We are committed to always prioritizing the safety, security, and comfort of train travel. KAI continues to strive to reduce the slowdown that occurs so that train travel can return to normal," explained Joni.

Berikut adalah daftar KA yang direncanakan akan melengkan melalui jalur selatan:

1. Matarmaja 281/282 Malang-Pasar Senen pp

2. Brantas train additional 7033a/7034a Blitar-Pasar Senen pp

3. Regular Brantas train 109a/110a Blitar-Pasar Senen pp

4. Majapahit 251/252a Malang-Pasar Senen pp

5. Brawijaya 73a/74a Malang-Gambir pp train

Until now, said Joni, a number of train trips were still experiencing delays due to the flood. KAI has provided Service Recovery for affected customers according to applicable regulations.

"KAI also provides compensation in the form of ticket returns of up to 100 percent outside of the message fee with a maximum cancellation period of seven days from the train departure schedule," he said.

Joni explained, specifically for customers who will take the train from Semarang Tawang Station and Semarang Poncol Station, but their journey was hampered due to flooding, they were also entitled to a 100 percent ticket refund.

For further information regarding ticket cancellation info and update train travel conditions, the public can contact Customer Service at the KAI Station, Contact Center by telephone at 121, WhatsApp KAI121 at 08111-2111-121, email [email protected], or KAI121 social media.

For customers who are on their way, they can directly communicate with the conductor who is on duty via the cellphone number listed on each train wall. Customers can ask for the latest information regarding the condition of train travel which is currently being used," said Joni.

Currently, continued Joni, KAI is making various efforts to normalize the track so that it can be passed back by train trips.

KAI deployed rail and bridge road officers to repair submerged lanes, deploy auxiliary facilities to speed up the handling process, and operate water pumps to reduce the water discharge at the station.

"We, on behalf of KAI management, apologize profusely to all customers because of the disruption of travel and services. All officers are trying their best to reduce travel delays and normalize train trips again", concluded Joni.