PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is currently designing an integrated rail network, the Trans-Sumatra Railway, connecting the northernmost and southernmost points of Sumatra Island, from Banda Aceh to Bandar Lampung.
The Trans-Sumatra project has been officially included in KAI’s transformation roadmap for the 2026–2030 period. This national strategic initiative is intended to strengthen passenger mobility and facilitate interregional logistics distribution. Currently, the island’s railway lines operate in several fragmented sections and are not yet interconnected.
KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin explained that this initiative was undertaken to implement President Prabowo Subianto’s directive. Trans-Sumatra rail connectivity is considered crucial because the fragmented network has hindered intercity and interprovincial rail transport.
“Based on the President’s directive, we are developing the network on Sumatra Island, specifically connecting Banda Aceh with Bandar Lampung,” Rasyidin said on Wednesday, the 3rd of June.
He also added, “If we look at the existing network, it’s only a fragmented one, from Bandar Lampung to Palembang. Then from Bandar Lampung to Lubuk Linggau. Then from Medan, a little bit. From Padang, too.”
The first phase of the project will focus on connecting the Banda Aceh–Besitang line due to its strategic importance in the northern region. This phase is expected to involve the construction of approximately 478 kilometres of railway track.
To support this effort, KAI is currently preparing a detailed engineering design (DED) as the technical foundation before moving into the construction phase. The total investment required to connect the entire railway network from Aceh to Lampung is estimated at US$25 billion, equivalent to Rp448 trillion.