KAI records surge in discounted ticket bookings and growing public trust during school holidays

Indonesia’s state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) reported that its 30 % fare‑discount program for the school‑holiday period of 20 June–5 July 2026 was taken up by more than 1.15 million passengers, filling 98.4 % of the 1.174 million seats allocated to the scheme. The peak day was 28 June, when 90 366 tickets were sold. The most used departure stations were Pasar Senen, Yogyakarta, Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng, Semarang Poncol and Surabaya Pasarturi, with Pasar Senen also the top destination.

At the same time, public confidence in KAI’s railway service is reported to be rising. Observers attribute this to punctuality, ongoing service upgrades, the introduction of new ticket‑purchase and station‑entry technologies, and swift responses to passenger feedback. Academic Djoko Setijowarno noted that the improved experience is helping to overcome earlier concerns about data‑driven technologies and reinforces trust in the rail system.

The programme is part of a government stimulus to keep transport affordable and support economic activity during school breaks.