PT KAI Activates Commuter Train Service In Blitar Starting June 1

Vice President Corporate Secretary of PT KAI Commuter Indonesia (KCI) Anne Purba at Blitar Station, East Java, Monday (22/5/2023). ANTARA/Asmaul

BLITAR - PT Kereta Api Indonesia has decided to activate a commuter train service with Blitar Station, East Java, as a transit location starting June 1, 2023 for Malang-Surabaya City and Kertosono-Surabaya City as the final destination.

Vice President Corporate Secretary of PT KAI Commuter Indonesia (KCI) Anne Purba stated that changes in train travel usually occur every two years or can be in accordance with the time approved by PT KAI and the Ministry of Transportation.

One of these happened at Blitar Station as a transit location for commuter trains.

"The thing that stands out very prominent at Blitar Station as a transit station. Previously, the train turned via Malang-Kertosono back to Surabaya, currently there are two trips via Malang or Kertosono so that it is possible to change trains," said Anne Purba at Blitar Station, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 22.

He said the policy was taken to maximize the carrying capacity of infrastructure in the Operational Area (Daop) 8.

"Our target at KAI commuters can increase the frequency of travel or transportation capacity in the East Java area. We see Dhoho (Dhoho train), the average occupancy is 200 percent, meaning that more than 200 percent there is a possibility of demand that can be raised in Dhoho," he said.

PT KAI is currently also continuing to improve facilities such as the construction of double tracks or double lines. With that, it is hoped that it can be one of the efforts to increase transportation capacity and operational capacity.

With the change in the Official Train Travel Graphics starting June 1, 2023, for Commuter Dhoho Trains there are six trains, which means there are 12 trips and devices, while there are four Commuter Penataran trains, which means there are eight trains going and departing.

Anne Purba also explained that coordination continues between PT KAI and the government to ensure that double lanes can have an impact on urban transportation, such as Surabaya-Malang, or Kertosono-Blitar, which is possible to have high demand for traveling activities.

Regarding ticket fees, he said the tariff in accordance with Gapeka (Traffic for Train Trips) was a maximum of Rp. 30 thousand and so far there has been no change.

He also hopes that development will continue. In addition to increasing the carrying capacity as well as good connectivity so that later it can be integrated between products.

"We are approaching the transportation service in this area, how can we collaborate with the transportation here," said Anne Purba.