PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - Trains are a mode of transportation that is now starting to be loved by many people. Apart from being comfortable, punctuality is also an advantage of trains.

The increasing number of services from trains, especially from PT. Indonesian Railways (KAI), makes people make the choice to use trains as a mode of transportation.

Currently, many relationships have been prepared by PT. KAI to serve customers in various regions in Indonesia. Starting from local trains, inter-city trains, commuter lines and so on, presented by PT. KAI to support community activities.

Most recently, PT. KAI opened a new relationship to transport passengers from Gambir Station to Garut Station (PP) via the Papandayan Train. Papandayan itself is the name of one of the mountains in Garut Regency. Inaugurated directly by the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Hadi Tjahjanto, Managing Director of PT. KAI Didiek Hartantyo, and West Java Governor Bey Triadi Machmudin at a joyride event at the Garut Station Yard (24/1/2024).

After operating for approximately one week, the Papandayan train has carried 4,063 passengers.

Regional Public Relations Manager Operations 2 Bandung, Ayep Hanapi, stated that the presence of this train aims to improve service to customers and provide a comfortable travel alternative.

“The number of customers will certainly increase over time. "The presence of these new trains is aimed at improving service to customers so that there are more alternative choices for traveling by train," said Ayep in a Daop 2 Bandung Public Relations Press Release (1/02/2024).

The company continues to innovate and improve service to customers. The operation of the Papandayan train, added Ayep, is expected to increase accessibility for people from Jakarta, Bandung, to the Garut area.

"So that it can encourage the growth of the tourism, culture and economic sectors in West Java," said Ayep.

With a fare of IDR 315,000 for Executive Class and IDR 195,000 for Economy Class, the Papandayan train offers a comfortable journey equipped with various facilities such as dining trains, prayer rooms, toilets, plugs for each seat, air conditioner, and offers stunning panoramas, especially in the Lebak Jero area. to Garut Regency.

Zaenal Arif, Persib Bandung legend, who tried the Papandayan train directly, expressed his satisfaction, inviting Garut residents to try this comfortable travel experience.

He hopes that in the future there will be more train schedules from outside to Garut, and more passengers going back and forth from Bandung to Garut.

"(For Garut residents) don't think too much, don't consider other things too much, from now on I invite Garut residents, let's try taking the Papandayan train, it's very comfortable, I'm also very happy, I can't believe it's even time since I arrived from Bandung. "I went to Garut, I didn't feel it, and my body didn't feel sick, it's just comfortable and I should try it immediately for Garut people," he said.

Meanwhile, Suwandhi from
Brokokok (Kembang City Community Brompton), also tried out the Papandayan train directly from Bandung Station to Garut Station. He admitted that he was very enthusiastic about the Papandayan train, because usually when he went to Garut by train, he had to wait for the afternoon schedule, and returned to Bandung too late.

According to him, bicycle tourism in Garut is very promising, because Garut Regency has many tourist destinations and varied routes.

"Because the time is perfect for checking out of the hotel from Garut, so if you are traveling in Garut, you can check out at 12:30 and go back to Bandung or Jakarta," he said.

The Papandayan train itself consists of 2 service classes, namely Executive Class and Economy Class. The Papandayan train fare is priced at IDR 315,000 for executive class, and IDR 195,000 for economy class.

The Papandayan train departs from Garut Station at 12.30 WIB, then departs from Bandung Station at 15.00 WIB, and arrives at Gambir Station at 17.45 WIB

Meanwhile, from Gambir Station it departs at 06.30 WIB, then departs from Bandung Station at 09.15 WIB and arrives at Garut Station at 11.20 WIB.

Apart from that, on the Papandayan train journey, especially when it arrives in the Lebak Jero area to Garut Regency, passengers will be treated to an amazing panorama from behind the Papandayan train window.

Through the Papandayan train, it is hoped that it will become the preferred mode of transportation for tourists who want to travel to Garut Regency, or for the people of Garut who will travel to Bandung to Jakarta.

Here are several stopping stations from the Papandayan train:
• Papandayan Garut - Gambir train relations:
- Departs from Garut Station at 12.30 WIB
- Departs from Cibatu Station at 13.01 WIB
- Departs from Leles Station at 13.26 WIB
- Departs from Kiaracondong Station at 14.39 WIB
- Departs from Bandung Station at 15.00 WIB
- Departs from Cimahi Station at 15.23 WIB
- Departs from Bekasi Station at 17.18 WIB
- Arrive at Gambir Station at 17.45 WIB

Papandayan Gambir - Garut train relations:
- Depart from the station at 06.30 WIB
- Departs from Bekasi Station at 06.57 WIB
- Departs from Cimahi Station at 09.05
- Departs from Bandung Station at 09.15
- Departs from Kiaracondong Station at 09.33 WIB
- Departs from Cibatu Station at 10.42 WIB
- Arrive at Garut Station at 11.20 WIB.