Indonesia weighs imports of 23 used Japanese commuter trainsets
KAI proposes the trains as an interim measure as Greater Jakarta ridership rises and the government reviews domestic manufacturing capacity.
Indonesian ministries have begun discussing a proposal to import 23 used electric commuter trainsets from Japan. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the decision must balance operators’ fleet requirements with the capacity of domestic manufacturers.
Speaking at a Forwahub workshop on 2 October 2026, Dudy called for a procurement roadmap covering both locally produced trains and imports. The discussions include technical requirements, rules governing imports of used goods and the ability of Indonesian industry to meet demand.
The House of Representatives’ Commission VI approved the used-train imports during a hearing with KAI on 23 September 2026. KAI’s proposal comprises seven trainsets with 12 carriages each and 16 with eight carriages each.
KAI expects the imported trains could remain in service for about 10 years. They are intended to bridge the fleet shortage while domestic production capacity improves, as used trains can be delivered sooner than newly manufactured sets.
Greater Jakarta commuter rail passenger numbers increased by 11.3 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026. Daily ridership averaged around 1.1 million and exceeded 1.3 million under certain conditions. Some KAI trains are more than 40 years old.
Recalls affecting some INKA electric trains have also prompted a reassessment of domestic production capability. Dudy said the Transport Ministry’s responsibility was to ensure trains were fit for service, while coordination with the Trade and Industry ministries would address import restrictions and manufacturing capacity as part of longer-term fleet planning.
