Prabowo Orders New Railway Networks in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi to Cut Logistics Costs and Empower Farmers

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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the government to accelerate the construction of new railway lines across Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi as part of his administration’s effort to expand mass transportation infrastructure and boost economic competitiveness.

Speaking after inaugurating the newly rebuilt Tanah Abang Station in Jakarta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, Prabowo emphasized that railway connectivity was essential to improving Indonesia’s logistics efficiency and reducing national transport costs.

"Our railways will be expanded in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, and Sulawesi," Prabowo said. “With railways, logistics costs will decrease, economic costs will fall, and our competitiveness will rise. The people’s welfare will improve.”

The president underscored that railway development was not merely a symbol of modernization but also a tool for ensuring equitable prosperity. “We must secure our national wealth, and the railway will be one of the instruments that helps our people, especially the middle and lower classes. The rich can fly or drive cars, but most Indonesians will benefit from trains,” he said.

To implement the plan, Prabowo assigned the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Coordination, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, to prepare detailed blueprints for the Trans-Sumatra, Trans-Kalimantan, and Trans-Sulawesi railway networks. “I have instructed the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure to plan them properly,” Prabowo said.

Beyond expanding the national railway grid, Prabowo has also approved Rp 5 trillion (about $310 million) in funding for the addition of 30 new electric commuter train sets for the Greater Jakarta network operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).

“KAI proposed Rp 4.8 trillion. I approved Rp 5 trillion. If it’s for the benefit of the people, I won’t hesitate. We must save money, but always prioritize the people’s welfare above all else,” he stated.

He set a one-year target for the new train sets to be delivered and deployed, expressing confidence that Indonesia’s engineers and manufacturers were capable of producing world-class railway systems. “Our trains are not inferior to those anywhere else. If our people do great work that earns admiration abroad, we must recognize and be proud of it. Humble, yes—but never inferior,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Prabowo rode the commuter line himself from Manggarai Station to Tanah Abang to personally observe the facilities. “I tried it—clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned,” he said, smiling. “I used to take trains all the time when I was young. I love trains and all forms of mass transit because they are vital to a modern, strategic society.”

During his visit, Prabowo also inspected a newly introduced special train service for farmers and small traders—an initiative designed to strengthen grassroots logistics and economic equity. The “people’s train,” developed by the Ministry of Transportation and KAI, aims to connect rural production centers directly with urban markets.

The service, which will begin operation in November, uses modified train cars that carry both passengers and agricultural goods such as vegetables, fruits, and daily necessities at minimal cost. “I checked it. They only pay for their seat, not for their goods. The seats are arranged sideways. The fares are already set,” Prabowo said.

The government sees the initiative as a strategic step toward building a fair and efficient logistics system while supporting farmers and micro-entrepreneurs. The trains will serve routes to Rangkasbitung, Serang, and Merak—key corridors linking farming regions with trade hubs in western Java.

Officials expect the service to help reduce price disparities between rural and urban markets, enhance food distribution, and reinforce national food resilience. “More than just transportation, this represents our commitment to ensuring every citizen can access affordable, safe, and efficient public facilities,” Prabowo added.

He noted that Indonesia’s railway network currently carries around 486 million passengers annually—a figure that reflects the system’s vital role in national mobility and underscores why railway modernization will remain a focus of his administration.

Through expanded railway investment, the president hopes to realize a transport ecosystem that is not only competitive and modern but also inclusive—bridging regions, lowering costs, and uplifting the everyday lives of farmers, traders, and urban commuters alike.