Documentation of the Railways Engineering Office for Western Sumatra Region

Who knows where the Dutch East Indies Government built its first station in the Ranah Minang? Yes, it is true. Pulau Air Station or the Minangkabau people call it Pulau Aie Station. The station that connects Padang to Sawahlunto was last operated in 1977 by PT KAI (Persero) Divre II West Sumatra.

After 44 years of suspended animation, the Ministry of Transportation through the Railways Engineering Office for the West Sumatra Region has reactivated Pulau Aie Station and has been operating since February 10, 2021. The condition of the station that is still maintained in its authenticity and strategic location makes Pulau Aie Station a high historical value and registered as one of the world cultural heritage sites designated by UNESCO.

Photo of Aie Tempo Island Station in the past. Source from KITLV

Based on its history, Pulau Aie Station was built during the Dutch East Indies period by a company called Staatsspoorwegen Staatsspoorwegen ter Sumatra's Westkust (SSS) with the aim of transporting coal mining products located in Sawahlunto in 1868. Construction started from Teluk Bayur to Sawahlunto, then Aie Island to Padang Panjang for 71 km, continuing to Bukittinggi with a length of 90 km. The railway line was inaugurated on October 1, 1892 in conjunction with the opening of Teluk Bayur Harbor (Emmahaven) and the inauguration of railway connectivity from Padang to Muaro Kalaban.

Photo of Aie Tempo Island Station in the past. Source from KITLV

Meanwhile, in the reactivation project, the Ministry of Transportation through the Railways Engineering Office for the Western Sumatra Region has revitalized the 2.7 kmsp railway line from Padang Station to Pulau Aie Station. The scope of this revitalization activity includes the replacement of rail 33 with rail 54 and the sterilization of railway lines at Km 0+000 to 2+950 km including spoor one at the Padang Station emplacement, as well as upgrading the BH 36 Km 1+793 bridge spanning 15 M between Padang Station - Pulau Aie Station. In terms of passenger facilities, reactivation is carried out by restoring Pulau Aie Station, as well as building Tarandam Station and its supporting facilities.

After operating, now the enthusiasm of the people of West Sumatra to use the train as their daily transportation is very large. Currently, the line is served by the Minangkabau Express Train with a fairly cheap rate of Rp. 10 thousand if the final destination is BIM and Rp. 5 thousand for the final destination of the station before BIM.

The Ministry of Transportation itself hopes that the operation of the Minangkabau Express Train to Pulau Aie Station will increase the accessibility of the people of West Sumatra and tourists. So that it will have an impact on improving the economy of the people in the West Sumatra region.