PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is proposing to import used electric rail trains from overseas to avert a critical fleet shortage across the Jakarta commuter network between 2026 and 2029. PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin stated during a parliamentary hearing on September 23, 2026, that the current fleet has reached a critical age, resulting in metal fatigue and a lack of available spare parts.
To prevent systemic commuter gridlock as older trainsets undergo mandatory retirement, state railway officials argue that purchasing refurbished railcars represents a realistic emergency stopgap. Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives have conditioned their support on strict safety verifications and the long-term protection of domestic manufacturing capabilities.
## Fleet Aging and the 2026 Capacity Crisis
The state railway operator projects a deficit of 22 trainsets by 2026 alone. This shortfall stems from delivery delays and the urgent necessity to phase out and conserve 13 aging trainsets due to structural safety concerns.
Speaking to Commission VI of the House of Representatives on September 23, 2026, Bobby Rasyidin outlined the severity of the deterioration. Trainsets scheduled to reach 45 years of age by 2028 can no longer be safely operated or repaired because spare parts are no longer available, and the metal structures suffer from fatigue.
Between now and 2031, PT KAI must replace at least 87 trainsets to maintain baseline operations. Because domestic production capacity cannot immediately absorb this spike in demand, management has proposed sourcing refurbished railcars internationally.
“So one of the things that we will propose is that we patch it first, sir, by importing, yes, those cars that are not new, which historically are good, and then have undergone refurbishment, like airplanes,” Bobby said during the hearing.
## Parliamentary Support and Conditions From the House
House Commission VI leadership has backed the emergency import strategy while establishing strict operational guardrails. In the official meeting conclusions read by Vice Chairman Andre Rosiade, lawmakers supported fulfilling commuter capacity through a mix of local industrial development and the integrated, sustainable procurement of secondhand trainsets.
At the same time, the House insisted that PT KAI must maintain and strengthen its operational synergy with domestic rolling stock manufacturer PT INKA (Persero). Lawmakers mandated that procurement of transitional secondhand equipment must coincide with efforts to lift PT INKA’s Technology Readiness Level and Manufacturing Readiness Level to a proper Level 9. This requirement aims to safeguard national industrial competitiveness and foster long-term self-reliance.
## Safety and Passenger Volume Demands
Addressing the plan on September 26, 2026, PKB faction Commission VI member Rivqy Abdul Halim emphasized that passenger safety and technical compliance must override speed of delivery.
“If the government decides to import KRL, don’t just think about how the trains can arrive quickly,” Rivqy told reporters. “What must be ensured is whether the trains are truly safe, fit for operation, suited to our infrastructure conditions, and provide comfort to passengers.”
Rivqy noted that Jabodetabek commuter lines handle approximately 1.1 million passengers daily, leading to extreme congestion during peak morning and evening hours. While welcoming fleet expansion to relieve overcrowded carriages, he cautioned that imports must not undermine the domestic railway ecosystem. He urged the government to build a comprehensive transport network capable of supporting future passenger growth without compromising safety standards or relying indefinitely on emergency foreign purchases.
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