New train serves route linking Yogya, Cilacap, Purwokerto

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A new train named the Maguwo Ekspres was launched by state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Operational Region (DAOP) VI on Wednesday to serve the Yogyakarta–Cilacap–Purwokerto route.

DAOP VI head Sinung Tri Nugroho said the new electric-diesel train would help airline passengers landing in Yogyakarta continue their onward trips to Central Java’s towns of Kebumen, Cilacap, Banyumas and the surrounding areas, and vice versa.

“During this promotional month tickets are on sale for only Rp 60,000 (US$6.30). There will be an evaluation at the end of August and the price may be raised a bit,” Sinung said during the launch ceremony at Maguwo station in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.

Also present at the ceremony were Sleman Regent Sri Purnomo and Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti.

Sinung said the fare already included maintenance expenses of the Maguwo Ekspres as no subsidy was given by the government for the operation of the route.

Sinung also said that the train was named after its final station destination in Yogyakarta, Maguwo, located only 100 meters from the Yogyakarta Adi Sucipto Airport.

With five air-conditioned coaches and two toilets, the train has the capacity to carry 308 passengers,
Sinung said.

Every day the train departs Purwokerto station at 7 a.m. and arrives at Maguwo at 10:57 a.m. It leaves Maguwo at 11:16 a.m., arriving Cilacap at 3:59 p.m. then rolling on to Purwokerto.

Government project marketing manager for the state-owned train builder PT Inka Madiun, Nazuar Hakki, said that the Maguwo Ekspres was initially an electric train operated in Jakarta and was later transported to Madiun to be converted to diesel.

“The interior was redesigned and the engine was imported from Germany,” said Nazuar, adding that the conversion cost Rp 30 billion.

Both Regent Sri Purnomo and Mayor Haryadi Suyuti welcomed the operation of the train, arguing that it would help reduce traffic on the roads.

“Public transportation is very important for the development of Yogyakarta, especially with regard to its status as a tourist destination,” Haryadi said.

Indro Usodo, a Jakarta–Yogyakarta flight passenger who was about to continue his trip to Kutoarjo, Central Java, on board the Maguwo Ekspres, said the train was relatively comfortable thanks to being air-conditioned.

“This really helps flight passengers to continue to the Banyumas region,” said Indro, who was charged Rp 50,000 for a Maguwo–Kutoarjo ticket.

Amin, a regular traveler to Cilacap, hoped that tickets could be at least at the same price as air-conditioned express buses serving Yogyakarta–Cilacap, which is Rp 40,000 each.