Lempuyangan Station: One of Indonesia's Oldest Hubs

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta – Lempuyangan Station is a major railway station in Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta, serving as one of the city’s main gateways for rail passengers. Located east of Yogyakarta’s city center, the station complements Yogyakarta Station, located just 1.3 kilometers west.

Operated by Indonesia's state-owned, national railway company Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), the station primarily serves economy-class and other non-executive passenger services. Its strategic location makes it an important transportation hub for passengers traveling between Yogyakarta and other cities in Java.

In addition to long-distance services, Lempuyangan Station is also served by Yogyakarta Commuter Line, a single-line electric commuter rail system operated by KAI's subsidiary, KAI Commuter. The first service outside Greater Jakarta, it provides rail connections between Yogyakarta and several destinations in Central Java, including Surakarta.

Inaugurated in 1872 during the Dutch East Indies era, Lempuyangan Station is one of the oldest railway stations in Indonesia, and it even predates Yogyakarta Station which was inaugurated in 1887. The private company Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS) – which built the country's first railway line from Semarang, Central Java, to Yogyakarta – built the station.

Lempuyangan Station is located relatively close to Yogyakarta’s city center, although it is farther from the tourist spot of Malioboro Street than Yogyakarta Station. Its location in the Lempuyangan area also provides access to surrounding neighborhoods and various urban transportation options.

The station has 11 tracks and 5 platforms for passenger and cement freight rail transport, with many facilities such as food tenants, toilets, a Muslim prayer room, and even a children's playground. A Trans Jogja bus rapid transit stop is situated nearby, connecting passengers to various destinations throughout the special region.

For visitors to Yogyakarta, Lempuyangan can serve as an alternative arrival and departure point to Yogyakarta Station. The choice between the two stations generally depends on the train service and destination, as well as the passenger’s location and travel itinerary.