Prabowo About Farmers' Trains And Traders: 60 Percent Government Subsidized Costs, Free Goods

Illustration - Economic Class Passenger Train (K3) Special for Farmers- Traders. (Photo: ANTARA)

President Prabowo Subianto ensured that the government would provide subsidies for costs or tariffs for special train services for farmers and traders of 60 percent.

"Earlier I said, the cost was subsidized by the government at 60 percent. Everything. As for farmers and traders, they will still be subsidized at 60 percent," he told reporters at Tanah Abang Station, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 4.

In addition, Prabowo also ensured that farmers and traders who boarded this fleet did not need to pay more money for the cost of goods.

"So, he only pays for himself. He doesn't have to pay for his merchandise," he said.

Previously, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI through its subsidiary KAI Commuter was preparing a concept for the operation of Farmers Trains and Traders. The plan, the train service will start operating this month.

KAI Vice President Public Relations Anne Purba said that in the early stages, this concept would be applied in the Banten region as a form of support for the Government's Asta Cita Program in strengthening food security, economic equity, and increasing productivity in the real sector.

The initial stage of operation of the Farmers Train and Traders will be focused on the Rangkasbitung Line, with a service pattern designed so that the loading and unloading process of agricultural products and merchandise can be carried out safely at a number of stations," he said in an official statement, Monday, November 3.

Anne said the Farmers' and Traders' trains will use the existing schedule for the Merak Line Commuter with additional stopping times at several points.

"This program is still in the preparation stage, and we want to ensure that every step is oriented towards public safety and welfare. This innovation is expected to be the first step to strengthen the community's economy through inclusive and productive transportation," he said.

On the other hand, Anne said that based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Banten Province 2023, there are 609,226 individual agricultural business units in the area.

Some farmers are still facing problems with the distribution of crops to the market, which has an impact on the low selling value of products.

The survey of Commuter Line Merak users also showed 81.23 percent of farmers and traders' passengers support special train services to support their economic activities.

Meanwhile, 6.94 percent of passengers from Serang proposed adjusting the departure time in the morning between 07.00 and 08.00 to match traditional market time.

Sepanjang Januari hingga September 2025, pengguna Commuter Line di Rangkasbitung Line mencapai 56.825.669 pelanggan, naik 9,9 persen dibanding periode yang sama tahun 2024 sebanyak 51.706.637 pelanggan.

“Peningkatan ini menunjukkan besarnya potensi ekonomi masyarakat Banten yang didukung transportasi publik berbasis rel,” ucapnya.

Throughout January to September 2025, Commuter Line users on the Rangkasbitung Line reached 56,825,669 customers, up 9.9 percent compared to the same period in 2024 of 51,706,637 customers.

"This increase shows the huge economic potential of the Banten community which is supported by rail-based public transportation," he said.