PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - The Papandayan Train (KA) was officially launched together with the Pangandaran Train at the Papandayan KA Joy Ride activity at the Garut Station Yard, Wednesday (24/1/2024).

The launch of the Papandayan train on the Garut - Gambir route was attended by the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Marshal TNI (Ret.) Hadi Tjahjanto, Main Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Didiek Hartantyo, Acting Governor of West Java Bey Triadi Machmudin, Acting Regent of Garut Barnas Adjidin, and other invited guests.

Acting Regent of Garut Barnas Adjidin said that the launching of the Papandayan train would have a good impact on development in Garut Regency. The presence of the Papandayan train will make access easier for people who want to travel to Bandung and Jakarta without traffic jams.

"Therefore, we appreciate the central government and the Governor of West Java for synergizing so that Garut Regency is given the opportunity for this rail transportation," he said.

Barnas also appreciated the steps taken by the previous Garut Regent, Rudy Gunawan, who had pioneered the return of trains to Garut Regency. Through this new route, of course Garut Regency must prepare several things, one of which is a mode of transportation that can be used to reach recreation areas from Garut Station.

"And later we will communicate with friends how to make it safe, comfortable, fast and precise, regarding the facilities that can be provided, including perhaps later we also want to invite other entrepreneurs to support the places needed," he said .

Barnas hopes that in the future the Papandayan train departure route from Garut Regency can increase, so that it is not just once a day, so that the people of Garut and other visitors can leave or return by train.

"Maybe twice because later we will also coordinate with KAI whether there is one in the morning or the afternoon, so twice in the morning and afternoon, for example, so that it is true that when you go home you can also use the train, and when you go home you can use the train, that's what is expected," he said.

Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin in his speech said that his party supports and welcomes the opening of the new route which will have a positive impact on connectivity, economic growth, tourism and community mobility in various regions of West Java.

"Of course, the operation of the Papandayan Train and Pangandaran Train will strengthen connectivity between cities and between regions in West Java and open more doors to opportunities for economic growth, tourism and population mobility," said Bey.

Bey even joked with the regional heads that when carrying out a working visit to meet him in Bandung, the Acting Regent and Mayor used the Papandayan train and Pangandaran train transportation. "Without showing a train ticket, work visits will not be accepted," he said with a laugh.

PT KAI's move was welcomed by the ranks of the West Java Provincial Government and the district/city Regional Government with the immediate preparation of Feeder Trains and supporting shuttles to connect Garut Station and Banjar Station to tourist attractions.

"I have asked (the Head of the West Java Transportation Service) to immediately prepare either feeders or shuttles to tourist attractions from Garut Station and Banjar Station," said Bey.

The Minister of ATR/BPN, Marshal TNI (Ret.) Hadi Tjahjanto said that his party would continue to provide support to the Managing Director of KAI to develop double tracks and good stations.

"We will support everything, including stations that are currently idle, we will help them to be certified, we will help," he said.

Hadi also conveyed his impression of riding the train transportation mode, where when traveling he felt comfortable and did not feel overwhelmed because he did not experience traffic jams.

"The body feels good and the eyes are pampered with the views, rice fields, people's houses, and then sitting comfortably because there is air conditioning," he said.

Hadi also congratulated the launch of the Papandayan and Pangandaran trains. His party is committed to supporting spatial planning in Garut Regency and Banjar City.

KAI President Director Didiek Hartantyo said that the Joy Ride was carried out in order to start operating the Pangandaran Train and Papandayan Train. He explained that the Papandayan and Pangandaran trains are equipped with executive and premium economy class trains.

Didiek explained that his party always strives to improve service to loyal KAI customers, by creating new experiences, namely the presence of Panoramic Trains which offer stunning views during the journey.

"We can see Mount Cikuray clearly (or) clear with a wide mirror, so the Acting Governor and Garut Regency officials must try, to be able to generate tourism interest in Garut Regency, in Tasik and Banjar," he said.

Didiek added that the launch of the Papandayan and Pangandaran trains will have a positive impact, one of which is that the people of Garut who want to visit Jakarta will not need to change trains in Bandung to get executive class service.

He hopes that his party can collaborate with local regional governments to develop their regions, both in terms of tourism and other aspects, so that transportation activities can grow.

"It is our hope that we can grow the tourism, culture and economic sectors in West Java," he said.

Launching of three new trains, namely the Papandayan train with the Garut-Gambir (PP) connection, the Pangandaran train with the Banjar-Gambir (PP) connection, and the Malabar train with morning departures with the Bandung-Malang (PP) connection.

The launch of the Papandayan train is in an effort to provide the public with the option of traveling by train, especially from Garut Station to Gambir PP, which so far has only been served by the Cikuray train, the Garut-Cibatu-Kiara Condong-Pasar Senen train.

Meanwhile, the launch of the Pangandaran train provides a choice for people who use the train from Jakarta to Bandung, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis to Banjar or vice versa.

The Malabar train, which previously departed from Bandung Station, at 17.20 WIB, is now adding a morning departure, at 09.50 WIB, to Malang Station.

The launch of this new train is also intended to provide convenience for the public so that there are more choices for traveling using rail transportation.

The three trains consist of two service classes, namely executive and economy classes.

The Papandayan train fare is priced at IDR 252,000 for executive class, and IDR 156,000 for economy class.

Meanwhile, the Pangandaran train fare is priced at IDR 296,000 for executive class and IDR 180,000 for economy class.

Both train fares include a 20 percent promotion which is valid until January 31, 2024.

The following is the departure schedule for the three new trains:

1. Papandayan train:
- Departs from Garut Station, at 12.30 WIB, arrives at Gambir Station at 17.45 WIB (departs from Bandung Station at 15.00 WIB).
- Depart from Gambir Station, 06.30 WIB, arrive at Garut Station, 11.20 WIB (arrive at Bandung Station, 09.15 WIB).

2. Pangandaran train:
- Departs from Banjar Station, 16.55 WIB, arrives at Gambir Station, 00.49 WIB (departs from Bandung Station, 22.00 WIB).
- Departs from Gambir Station, 09.30 WIB, arrives at Banjar Station, 16.25 WIB (arrives at Bandung Station, 12.15 WIB).

3. Malabar train morning departure:
- Departs from Malang Station, 05.40 WIB, arrives at Bandung Station, 17.58 WIB.
- Departs from Bandung Station, 09.50 WIB, arrives at Malang Station, 22.55 WIB.

(Diskominfo Garut/UPI)