Bima (train)

The Bima train (Indonesian: Kereta Api Bima) is an executive class train service with compartment suite that is operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) on the island of Java. The service runs between Gambir Station (GMR) in Jakarta at the west end of the island and Surabaya Gubeng Station (SGU) in Surabaya in the east. The train covers 820 kilometres (510 mi) in 10 hours 22 minutes. Bima was initially an acronym for "Biru Malam" (lit. Night Blue).

Bima

Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	Operational
First service	1 June 1967
Current operator	Kereta Api Indonesia
Ridership	800-1000 daily
Route
Termini	Gambir Surabaya Gubeng
Stops	16
Distance travelled	820 km (510 mi)
Average journey time	10 hours 22 minutes
Service frequency	Daily each way
Train numbers	7 (Surabaya Gubeng to Gambir) 8 (Gambir to Surabaya Gubeng)
On-board services
Class	Executive with compartment suite
Seating arrangements	Recline-able and rotatable seating in 2-2 configuration
Catering facilities	On-board cafe and trolley service
Technical
Rolling stock	CC206
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owners	DJKA and Ministry of Transportation
Route map

Uniquely, this train does not use the Jakarta–Surabaya railway line or North Line along the northern coast of Java, but rather a route that takes it along the southern coast of the island.

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

The service was commenced 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 manufactured by Waggonbau Görlitz.

In 1984, PJKA (now KAI) withdrew the majority of sleeper cars and replaced it with executive-class sitting coaches made by Astra Arad in Romania. The sleeper carriages of Bima train was removed because of the frequent report of alleged gambling or inappropriate things done inside the lockable compartement. The Romanian-built cars were disliked due to their uncomfortable non-reclining seats, earning them 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]}

Compartment suite 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 the day Argo Semeru and the Argo Bromo Anggrek.^[3][4]

Facilities

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

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 railway station	Dhoho and Jenggala commuter lines	Mojokerto
★	Surabaya Gubeng	Terminal station. Surabaya commuter rail system Trans Semanggi Suroboyo:  K2L	Surabaya

Incidents

• On 12 May 1980, eastbound Bima 2 train which had just departed from Purwokerto Station collided with Arimbi bus at level crossing 363, Pasirmuncang, Purwokerto, Central Java. 21 passenger of the bus was killed. 14 were killed by impact, while 7 other died after evacuation. The bus was destroyed and the locomotive of Bima 2 derailed.^[5]
• On 2 October 2010, eastbound Bima executive train crashed into the rear of Gaya Baru Malam Selatan economy train in Purwosari Station, Surakarta. 1 died and 4 injured.^[6]
• On 8 September 2015 at 05:20, Bima train collied with a pick-up truck in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, Jakarta. The collision disrupt KRL Commuterline and other inter-city train schedules.^[7]
• On 10 November 2015, a woman and her child were killed by a Bima train on a level-crossing in Kramatjegu Taman, Sidoarjo.^[8]

See also

• Rail transport in Indonesia
• List of named passenger trains of Indonesia
• Argo Semeru, same destination and route, but different schedule