Padang—The post-Lebaran Mudik rush occurred on H+4 of Idulfitri 2024, which fell on 15 April 2024. This was marked by an 80% increase in the number of passengers on the Minangkabau Ekspres train compared to the previous year.

Balai Teknik Perkeretaapian Kelas II Padang recorded a total of 2.579 passengers using the Mineks Airport Train on that day, compared to only 1.430 passengers the previous year.

During the Lebaran Transport period (Angleb) this year, the average number of passengers on trains in West Sumatra increased, according to BTP Padang head Endang Setiawan in his statement.

During Posko Angleb 2024, which lasted from 3 to 18 April 2024, there were only four days when three trains recorded a decrease in passengers compared to the previous year. These included H1 and H2 with a decrease of -33% and -5% on the first two days of Eid, and H+6 and H+7 with a decrease of -2% and -18% respectively.

"From this data, we can see that the number of train passengers in West Sumatra continues to increase every year, and the train remains a popular mode of transport for people during the Lebaran holiday season," said Endang.

He further explained that although many West Sumatran travellers opted for the free bus service from Jakarta to their hometowns this year, a significant number of passengers still chose the train service from Minangkabau International Airport as their preferred mode of transport.

"We all know that travelling by train has many advantages, such as shorter travel time and very affordable prices," he said.

For reference, the total number of passengers on three trains in West Sumatra - KA Minangkabau Ekspres, KA Lembah Anai (replaced by the 1K3+1KMP3 replacement train) and KA Pariaman Ekspres - increased by 5,71% from 90.936 passengers in 2023 to 96.124 passengers in 2024.

Humas Balai Teknik Perkeretaapian Padang