Bima Train
Bima presented by PT KAI is an executive class train taking a route mainly from Jakarta to Malang. The railroad car offers a two-way trip that departs from Jakarta Gambir Station and arrives in Malang Station (Kota Baru). Unfortunately, it’s only operated once a day and able to run with an average speed of 60 to 120 kilometers per hour within 907 kilometers. Additionally, the transportation mode can carry some passengers from or to both cities and takes a 15.5-hour trip.
Along its way, Bima train pulls into numerous main stations which include Cirebon Station, Purwokerto Station, Karanganyar Station, Yogyakarta Station, Solo Balapan Station, Madiun Station, Jombang Station, Mojokerto Station, Surabaya Gubeng Station, Sidoarjo Station, Lawang Station, and Jatinegara Station (only Jakarta route). It daily departs from Malang at 2:25 pm, as well as Jakarta at 4:30 pm. The train ticket’s cost ranges from 345,000 IDR to 500,000 IDR – depending on the seat position, class type, reservation time, and departure schedule. The shorter trip, Malang to Madiun route, for instance, costs about 280,000 IDR to 340,000 IDR per person.
As an executive train and as good as Argo, Bima boasts complete facilities for all passengers. Furthermore, the elegant and shining interior must dazzle anybody – even some say it looks more enchanting than the rest of Argo trains. The seats are equipped with a blanket, pillow, electric socket, folding table, baggage space, and foot step. True to its highlights, the passengers are free to adjust their sitting position.
Interesting Facts about Bima Train
Name Origin
Bima has two different meanings. The first version says that the name of Bima taken from a puppet character in the epic story of Mahabharata depicts power, strength, and audacity – this name is given coming with a wish, hoping that everybody is satisfied with the service and hospitality. Another source claims that the name stands for “Biru Malam” (Biru Malam literally means blue night). The story began when the Bima train was being launched for the first time; the car series was painted in blue color and started its operation at night.
The History
The premier launching of Bima train took place in early June 1967. During its first operation, it occupied a sleeping wagon made by Waggonbau Gortliz factory of East Germany. Bima is the first passenger car in Indonesia adapting the diesel engine taking an initial route from Jakarta to Surabaya. On its first appearance, Bima was once regarded as PT KAI’s best and most convenient train ever. It’s no wonder it had been top-rated due to its five-star class service at that time. In 1984, the train was transformed into a series of cars with seats. Although it once deteriorated in the term of quality in the late 80’s, Bima successfully drew the people's attention and got a wide number of good feedbacks – not to mention the most recent production with the executive label in 2016.
The Uniqueness
Bima train has some uniqueness beyond people’s expectation. Shockingly, it’s the pioneer of the air-conditioned passenger car with the most update system in Indonesia. In addition to that, one of the oldest Indonesia trains is fascinatingly operated until now. Instead of taking the northern route (commonly used most of the cars departing from Gambir Station), Bima owns the southern track.
The Train Series
Today’s Bima’s train series mainly consists of a diesel engine or locomotive, a dining car, and 6 to 8 passenger coaches with an executive argo class. As a matter of fact, Bima can carry up to approximately 400 passengers in one-way trip – it means 900 people for the round-trip journey.