Information About Tuban Station
Tuban Station (TN) is a non-active train station in Doromukti, Tuban. It is part of Region VIII Surabaya Asset and sits at an elevation of +7 meters. Tuban Station served the Merakurak—Babat route.
The station was first opened on August 1, 1920. According to Steven Anne Reitsma, the Head Officer of the Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS) in 1918, it was built to provide the people in Tuban with a railway transportation option.
Tuban Station initially operated steam locomotives but switched to hydraulic diesel locomotives in the 1970s. However, due to competition from other modes of transportation and aging infrastructure, Tuban Station and its tracks were officially closed in 1990.
To reach Tuban by train, you must get off at Babat Station, located on Jl. St., Gilang, Babat, Kec. Babat, Kabupaten Lamongan, East Java. The distance from Babat Station to Tuban is approximately 32 km and can be traveled in about 50 minutes to 1 hour by car.
Babat Station (BBT) is a Class 3 train station managed by PT KAI Daerah Operasi VIII Surabaya. It has 6 railway tracks, including 2 main tracks or lines, 3 badug tracks at Babat Gudang Station, and an original locomotive depot from the colonial era.
Although Babat Station used to have branch lines leading to Jombang and Tuban, both have been deactivated. Babat Station remains an option for passengers who want to go to Tuban.
Unique Facts About Tuban Station
1. Building for Rent
Even though it is no longer active, PT KAI still owns the land where this station is located. However, the building remains strong and is available for rent to the general public. The original doors and the "Tuban" sign on this station have been preserved. Even the "NIS" milestone near Tuban Station is still present.
2. Formerly Connected to the Lime Factory
Before being deactivated, Tuban Station served passengers and had a branch line connecting it to the Ronggolawe Lime Factory. However, the factory was closed in 1989 by the Tuban Regency Government due to its negative impact on the city's air quality.
3. Tuban Also Had Another Station
In addition to Tuban Station, Tuban was also home to another station called Merakurak Station (MKR). Like Tuban Station, Merakurak Station is now inactive. It is located in Sambonggede, Merakurak, Tuban.
In the past, this station was operated by the Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS). The station began operating when the Merakurak–Babat railway line was completed in 1920. Unfortunately, the Merakurak–Tuban segment only lasted for 15 years as NIS deemed it unprofitable. Currently, all the station's assets are owned by PT KAI.