PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is the modern incarnation of a long line of successive state railway companies dating from Dutch colonial days. Indonesia gained independence in 1945, the separate systems (except the Deli Railway) were combined into the Djawatan Kereta Api. Non-state railway systems in Java retained their paper existence until 1958, when all railway lines in Indonesia were nationalised, including the Deli Railway, thereby creating the Perusahaan Negara Kereta Api (PNKA: Indonesian State Railway Corporation)
On 15 September 1971 PNKA was reorganised into Perusahaan Jawatan Kereta Api (Indonesian Railways Corporation), then reorganised into Perumka (Perusahaan Umum Kereta Api: Public Railway Corporation) on 2 January 1991. Perumka was transformed into PT Kereta Api (Persero) on 1 June 1999. Since 2010 the name of PT Kereta Api was changed into PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) till now.
The headquarters of the state railway system, are located in Bandung, West Java.In 2014, PT Kereta Api carried 300 million passengers and 30 million tonnes cargo a year. The prediction is it will be doubled in 5 years.
Train services are covered west Java to east Java by an Intercity Train also in Sumatra covered by an Intercity Train as well. For the Commuter Line I will write it separately later if I have time.
Talking about the Intercity Train, a week ago I was traveling to Surabaya, east Java, by using the Argo Bromo Anggrek train that departed at 09.30 am from Gambir Station to Surabaya, Pasar Turi Station, ticket fare at the time at IDR.485,000 net. However I see that traveling with the train is now become a significant option for traveler within Java island.
So here are 3 things that I will highlight here
1. Why a traveler can opt the train than the airline ? (It is specifically for traveler in Java Island as we all know that the Intercity train service cover up area only in Java and Sumatera) - More cheap than the airlines fare - The train station location is in the heart of the city / town, so it can save your time especially your money to pay the metered taxi, agreed ? - More space to walk from one carriage to another one, back and forth to kill time especially if you would like to go to the dining room *_* for having some coffee, snacks, or having the main course there, or just a light food such as Indo Mie (psstt...this is the main menu of me during my travel with kereta api, with hot tea is excellento!!) or watching the television, or chit chat, etc - You can more relax while seeing the excellent picturesque through the window. To Central / East Java, you can see the greenery, huge rice fields, green fields with the background of mountain, flowers, barn house and the typical Javanesse houses, cool !! So if you say ohh ghost the travel time is crazy for hours, owhh I can response it by saying how it can pay with a original landscape of Indonesia. - Less effort and less hectic, yes it is. If you travel with the airlines, you are required to arrive 45 minutes at least before the departure time while the airport is quite far out of the place you are staying, get prepare so early to catch the time, required you to run sometimes to arrive at the gate because you are late, or maybe denied boarding if you are not lucky because of the traffic jam and arrive at the check in counter less than 45 mins. For me it creates a hustle and bustle, need an effort and so hectic. If you take the train and you have printed out your ticket already beforehand, you required to come until the train departure time. Boarding time only take few minutes, the officer in charged only check out your ticket and your KTP / ID, get your ticket stamp and go straight to the train, easyyyy less effort and hectic.
2. How to Purchase A Ticket Firstly for the travel time maximum 90 days until minimum 2 days before the departure date you still can access the formal website of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (www.kereta-api.co.id). Internet purchase is possible in recent days and it is the best way for you to arrange your trip in the very easy way just use your finger tip. Payment type also very easy with several options: - It can be through the bank ATM (within 24hours) - Through Minimart (Indo Maret, Alfa Mart) that mostly open untuk 22:00 hours but some also open 24 hours - Through Post Office during office hour - By Credit Card: Visa or Master Card Secondly, the most significant way is download the application on your IOS / Android apps the application name is KAI Access, just at your finger tip, it makes your life been so easy. I purchased my ticket through that application, easy and you are only required filling those field on the online form and submit the payment, it can be via Credit Card or Debit Card, WELL DONE !!
3. What are EQUIPMENTS inside the train ? - The executive class and business class have been equipped with the personal electricity plug, so don't be sad, you can still work from there or updating your status to the world *_* - The executive provide the television in the front seat, the tv programme is a family movie, children movie and music video, all are given anyway in Business class there is no tv on board. - The executive cabin equipped with a personalized and reclining seat while the business one not - Aircon at a very cold temperature are in both cabin especially in the executive cabin - Pillow is given in the executive cabin but no a blanket, while in the business cabin pillow and blanket are paid (each IDR.5000 *_*) - The standard compartment on both cabin but the compartment design in executive cabin is more personalized like in the airplane but still no cover. - Doors between carriages are sliding and closed properly - The toilet in the executive are clean, separate between male and female passenger, also equipped with a proper toiletries such as tissue, the liquid hand soap and enough water *_*, it is good. While in the business cabin, toilet are designed for both male and female passenger, and i did not check out the property inside, so sorry not too much information on this, but i am sure it is clean too - Price for snack, food and drinks are affordable, do not worry you can still buy something if you are hungry. But you are allowed to bring your own food, drinks or snack inside the train, don't worry, you still have a good option for that, ok. - More spacious leg room in the executive cabin than in the business one - Security on the train is fine now, they will check regularly from cabin to cabin or the train crew still back and forth passing by your cabin
Well, after those story above, my TIPS for travel with train are as follow:
1. Please make sure that you bring your ID / KTP along with you do not leave it or otherwise you will be denied on boarding
2. Please make sure you have printed out your ticket hours before to avoid queing on the printing machine if you arrive less than an hour. It actually required to come one hour before the departure time so you can print out your ticket easily but if you have your ticket already, you can come maybe 15 mins before the train depart but it will rush you anyway, come on time still best to avoid you left by the train.
3. Prepare something that can help you to kill your time during the trip, such as book, magazines or your gadget, ipad, ipod, etc for the night train maybe it is quite boring as outside is dark, no view.
4. Stay alert in your seat, keep on eye on your belonging above you, yes there are security on the train but it is not wrong if we also watch out our belonging.
i was travelling on February 2015 with Argo Bromo Anggrek, so I found the ticket price as follow:
For Executive Cabin at Argo Anggrek train, price @IDR. 485,000 it is actually the highest price but there are several sub classes below, if you book more earlier of course you can get the lowest one at 350,000, Argo Anggrek Train only has Executive Cabin For Business Cabin at Gumarang train, price @IDR. 310,000, Gumaran Train has several cabin, Economy, price start at 200 something and business start at 310,000, executive start at 385,000 until 485,000 Pictures showed the executive and business cabin, also the dining cabin in the Gumarang Train and the menu prices, I did not check out the dining cabin at Argo Anggrek, sorry but hope the info has been sufficient
Here we go, whatever transportation you use to travel, stay safe !! And thank you very much and thumbs up for Mr. Jonan as our Minister of Transportation who develop the Train service for us, now I have no doubt to travel with the train and still hope that it can be developed more and more in a future such as in Europe they have a bullet train also the seat signed has been electronic one, thanks Sir. Please refer to the website of PT Kereta Api Indonesia:
www.kereta-api.co.id
