The Bima train (Indonesian: Kereta Api Bima) is an executive class train service with sleeper carriages that is operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) in Java with the service running between Gambir Station (GMR) - Surabaya Gubeng Station (SGU) and vice versa. The train covers 820 kilometres (510 mi) in 10 hours 35 minutes. Bima was initially an acronym for "Biru Malam" (lit. Night Blue).

Bima
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusOperational
First service1 June 1967
Current operator(s)Kereta Api Indonesia
Ridership800-1000 daily
Route
TerminiGambir
Surabaya Gubeng
Stops16
Distance travelled820 km (510 mi)
Average journey time10 hours 35 minutes
Service frequencyDaily each way
Train number(s)59 (Surabaya Gubeng to Gambir)
60 (Gambir to Surabaya Gubeng)
On-board services
Class(es)Executive with sleeper carriages
Seating arrangementsRecline-able and rotatable seating in 2-2 configuration
Catering facilitiesOn-board cafe and trolley service
Technical
Rolling stockCC206
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)DJKA and Ministry of Transportation
Route map

Uniquely, this train is not through the northern route, but through the southern route, because to increase the occupancy of passengers who take the train route Jakarta-Surabaya through the southern route.

Although the Satwa class, KA Bima is an Argo class Executive train and uses the Argo train, in this case is the ex-Argo Bromo train. This train is the first AC executive train and the oldest train that still operates in Indonesia.

History

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The service was opened on 1 June 1967, succeeding Bintang Fadjar (Dawn Star) and Bintang Sendja (Twilight Star) trains, which passes Semarang Tawang station. A few weeks later, Bima train was rerouted via Purwokerto and Yogyakarta, and added with East German-made blue sleeper trains. In 1984, PJKA (now KAI) modifies those sleeper cars and replaced it with executive-class carriages from Romania. The sleeper carriages of Bima train was removed because of occasional gamblings or inappropriate things done inside the lockable compartement. The Romanian built cars was unliked was due to its uncomfortable non-reclinable seats, earning it a reputation as PJKA's worst executive train service.[1]

On 6 February 2014, the route was extended to Malang station,[2] but on 1 September 2020, Bima was returned back to Surabaya, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that caused passenger decrease in the Surabaya - Malang area.[citation needed]

 
Sleeper carriage that owned by Bima and Argo Semeru trains

On 10 October 2023, sleeper carriages on Bima train were added again and reinaugurated as Compartement Suites Class, which is also available on Argo Semeru.[3][4]

Facilities

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The Bima train consists of executive class and sleeper (compartment suites class) carriages. Executive-class carriages have 50 reclinable and rotatable seats in a 2 2 configuration. Meanwhile, sleeper carriages consist of 16 reclinable sleeping seats (up to 180°) with massager in individual private rooms. The carriage has a luxurious design with entertainment systems, smart toilets, and automatic doors.[3][4]

List of stations

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Legend:

Terminus station
All trains stop
Only night trains stop
Only westbound trains (towards Gambir) stop
Station Transfer/Notes City/Regency Province
Gambir Terminal station.

  Gambir

    Gambir 2

Central Jakarta Jakarta
Jatinegara Towards Gambir only.

  Cikarang Loop Line

      Bali Mester

  Stasiun Jatinegara

    Flyover Jatinegara

East Jakarta
Cirebon Cirebon West Java
Purwokerto   Pasar Pon terminal Purwokerto Central Java
Kroya Cilacap Regency
Kebumen Kebumen Regency
Kutoarjo   Prambanan Express Purworejo Regency
Yogyakarta   Yogyakarta Line

  Prambanan Express

  YIA Airport rail link

  Trans Jogja: 1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, 13, 15

Yogyakarta Special Region of Yogyakarta
Solo Balapan   Yogyakarta Line

  Adisumarmo Airport Rail Link

  Batik Solo Trans: 2, 6, 7F

  Trans Jateng: 1

  Tirtonadi terminal

Surakarta Central Java
Madiun Madiun East Java
Nganjuk Dhoho Commuter Line Nganjuk Regency
Kertosono
Jombang Jombang Regency
Mojokerto [id] Dhoho and Jenggala commuter lines Mojokerto
Surabaya Gubeng Terminal station.

Surabaya commuter rail system

  Trans Semanggi Suroboyo:  K2L 

Surabaya

Incidents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Raharjo, Paksi Suryo (17 April 2018). "Kembalinya Kereta Tidur di Jalur Kereta Indonesia". MerahPutih (in Indonesian). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ Saleh, Nurdin (2 February 2014). "Surabaya-Malang Dilayani Kereta Eksekutif Bima". Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Karina, Dina (9 October 2023). Afrianty, Desy (ed.). "KAI Resmi Jual Tiket KA Suite Compartment, Jakarta-Surabaya Mulai dari Rp1,9 Juta". Kompas TV (in Indonesian). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b "KAI Luncurkan Kereta Suite Class Compartement, Harga Promo Rp1,95 juta". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). 10 October 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Arimbi Kontra Bima, Purwokerto, 1980 – RODA SAYAP" (in Indonesian). 18 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Tabrakan KA Bima dan KA Gaya Baru di Solo Renggut Satu Nyawa". Republika Online (in Indonesian). 2 October 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ Sedayu, Agung (8 September 2015). "Kereta Bima Tabrak Mobil di Cipinang, KA Komuter Terhambat". Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  8. ^ Rouf, Abdul. "Ibu dan Anak Tewas Tertabrak KA Bima di Perlintasan Tanpa Pintu". SINDOnews Daerah (in Indonesian). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
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