RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has called for increased investment in Indonesia’s railway sector, describing rail transport as a key driver of economic growth, affordable logistics, and equitable development.

He said expanding and modernizing the country’s rail network would improve connectivity, lower transportation costs, and extend economic opportunities to smaller cities and remote regions.

Speaking at the inauguration of the revitalized Semarang Tawang Station in Central Java on Thursday, July 30, 2026, President Prabowo said railways should be viewed not merely as a mode of transportation but as an economic instrument that supports production, distribution, and public mobility.

“Trains are an economical logistics instrument. They benefit the people, especially those with low incomes. Trains are an economic instrument for the people. Trains are a true instrument of economic democratization,” the President said, as quoted on the Ministry of State Secretariat.

President Prabowo stressed that railway services should prioritize public interest over commercial profit. While efficiency remains essential, he said the network must continue serving smaller towns and low‑income communities, even when doing so may not maximize financial returns.

“Railways must serve the people. In many countries, railways are regarded as a public service, not solely as a profit‑making business,” he said, adding that policymakers must balance the expansion of high‑speed services with the need to maintain access for smaller communities.

To strengthen the railway sector’s contribution to the economy, President Prabowo instructed state‑owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) to adopt a comprehensive approach to network development.

He said modernization and new technologies should be deployed to improve public services and strengthen economic connectivity across the country.

“We are pursuing modernization and technology, but technology must ultimately serve the people. We need to invest more in the railway sector,” he said.

The President also called for improvements in railway safety, urging the installation of automated crossing gates at thousands of level crossings that remain vulnerable to accidents.

President Prabowo said future railway development should be guided by the principles of safety, efficiency, affordability, and equitable access so that the sector can play a greater role in supporting Indonesia’s long‑term economic growth.

The remarks came during the inauguration of the revitalized Semarang Tawang Station, one of Indonesia’s oldest railway stations, which has been in operation since 1914. The project aims to preserve the station’s historical heritage while improving passenger comfort and supporting growing public mobility. ***