Indonesia adds new trains for Vesak Day holiday

Thursday, May 23, 2024

The Indonesian railways company, KAI, is making significant enhancements to its services to accommodate the Vesak Day holiday rush. From May 22 to 26, 2024, KAI will provide 20 additional trains to anticipate the surge in passengers. Joni Martinus, KAI’s Vice President of Public Relations, announced these measures to ensure smooth travel during the holiday period.

Anticipated Surge in Travelers

On May 21, 2024, KAI reported that 455,378 train tickets had been sold for departures between May 22 and 26. This figure represents 62 percent of the total tickets available, which amounts to 740,301 tickets. On average, 91,076 tickets were sold each day during the long weekend, with a notable increase in passengers expected on May 22, reaching 112,857 people.

Key Statistics:

• Total Tickets Available: 740,301
• Tickets Sold by May 21: 455,378
• Daily Average Tickets Sold: 91,076
• Passengers on May 22: 112,857

Encouraging Early Bookings

Joni Martinus emphasized the importance of purchasing tickets through official channels like Access by KAI. He noted that popular routes during the Vesak Day holiday period include:

• Jakarta-Surabaya (round trip)
• Jakarta-Solo (round trip)
• Jakarta-Malang (round trip)
• Yogyakarta-Banyuwangi (round trip)
• Blitar-Bandung (round trip)

Additional Train Services

To handle the increased demand, KAI will operate 20 additional trains on various routes. These trains will ensure that more passengers can travel comfortably and efficiently during the Vesak Day holiday.

List of Additional Trains:

• Manahan Train: Solo Balapan-Gambir (May 22-27), Gambir-Solo Balapan (May 22-28)
• Lodaya Train: Bandung-Solo Balapan (May 22, 23, 26), Solo Balapan-Bandung (May 22, 23, 26)
• Taksaka Train: Gambir-Yogyakarta (May 22-26), Yogyakarta-Gambir (May 23-27)
• Argo Parahyangan Train: Bandung-Gambir (May 22-26), Gambir-Bandung (May 22-26)
• Argo Cheribon Train: Cirebon-Gambir (May 22-26), Gambir-Cirebon (May 26)
• Arjuno Express Train: Surabaya Gubeng-Malang (May 23-27), Malang-Surabaya Gubeng (May 23-27)
• Kaligung Train: Semarang Poncol-Tegal (May 22-26), Tegal-Semarang Poncol (May 22-26)
• Sancaka Train: Surabaya Gubeng-Yogyakarta (May 22-26), Yogyakarta-Surabaya Gubeng (May 22-26)

Impact on Travel and Tourism

The additional train services are expected to significantly impact travel and tourism during the Vesak Day holiday. By increasing capacity, KAI aims to facilitate the movement of tourists and residents, enhancing their travel experiences.

Tourism Benefits:

• Ease of Access: Improved connectivity to popular destinations.
• Increased Visitor Numbers: More tourists can visit various cultural and historical sites.
• Economic Boost: Increased tourism will benefit local economies through higher spending on accommodation, food, and other services.

KAI’s decision to add 20 trains for the Vesak Day holiday from May 22 to 26, 2024, is a strategic move to manage the anticipated increase in travelers. This initiative highlights the company’s commitment to providing efficient and reliable transportation, thereby enhancing travel and tourism in Indonesia. With popular routes seeing high demand, early ticket purchases through official channels are encouraged to ensure a smooth travel experience.

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