Indonesian Rail Services Surge for Nataru 2025/2026

Enhanced Operations Across Rail Services

Indonesian rail operators have implemented significant service enhancements for the 2025/2026 Nataru period, spanning from December 18, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The strategic boost in services aims to accommodate the anticipated surge in travel during the holiday season.

KCIC Whoosh Service Expansion

KCIC has substantially increased its Whoosh train service operations between Jakarta and Bandung. The company has scheduled 1,098 trips during the Nataru period, marking a 27.08% increase from the 864 trips recorded in the previous year's Nataru period ¹

. This represents an average of 62 daily trips, up from 48 daily trips previously. General Manager Corporate Secretary Eva Chairunisa emphasized that this enhancement is in response to the growing mobility needs of the traveling public during the holiday season.

Passenger Growth Projections

The Whoosh service is also expected to witness a significant uptick in passenger numbers. KCIC predicts that daily passenger numbers could reach 26,000, representing a 10-25% increase from the previous year's figures of 23,300 passengers per day ²

. This projection is supported by the observed growth in average daily passengers, which has risen from 14,000-16,000 in 2024 to higher numbers in 2025.

KAI Commuter Service Projections

In addition to KCIC's Whoosh service, KAI Commuter is also preparing for a substantial increase in passenger numbers. The company projects that approximately 19.9 million passengers will use KRL services during Nataru 2025/2026, representing a 4% increase from the previous year ³

. This projection covers various operational areas including Jabodetabek, Merak, Bandung, Yogyakarta-Palur, and Surabaya.

Detailed Breakdown of KAI Commuter Projections

KAI Commuter has provided a detailed breakdown of the expected passenger numbers across different regions:

• Jabodetabek: 16.9 million passengers
• Merak: 263,000 passengers
• Bandung: 1.1 million passengers
• Yogyakarta-Palur: 545,000 passengers
• KA Prameks: 75,830 passengers
• Surabaya: 919,000 passengers
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport Rail Link: 106,000 passengers ³
  Source 3

  https://finance.detik.com/infrastruktur/d-8268277/belasan-juta-orang-bakal-naik-krl-selama-nataru

Operational Preparedness

Both KCIC and KAI Commuter have emphasized their readiness to handle the increased passenger traffic. The companies have optimized their services and made necessary preparations to ensure smooth operations during the peak travel period.