Lodaya Train
Lodaya Train is mass railway transportation presents by Indonesian Railways Company (PT KAI) purposely serving passengers from Bandung to Solo, and vice versa. The train is a mixed class train that provides Business and Executive class. The train that is operating under Operational Area 2 Bandung is connecting two large cities leaves from Bandung Hall Station and Solo Balapan Station.
Initially launched on March 11th 1992, Lodaya Train that has been operating for 25 years is connecting between provinces, covering 447 kilometers on each trip. Lodaya Train travels at an average speed 60-100 kilometers per hour and takes 8.5-9 hours. The train usually leaves Bandung Hall Station twice and also twice from Solo Balapan Station. From Bandung Hall Station, the train leaves at 07.20 in the morning and at 18.55 at night. Meanwhile, from Solo Balapan Station, the train leaves at 07.10 in the morning and at 19.10 at night.
From Bandung to Solo, or the other way around, Lodaya Train stops at several stations. The main stops are Bandung Hall Station, Kiaracondong Station, Cipeundeuy Station, Tasikmalaya Station, Banjar Station, Sidareja Station, Maos Station, Gombong Station, Kebumen Station, Kutoarjo Station, Wates Station, Kutoarjo Station, and Solo Balapan Station.
Lodaya Train provides several facilities according to the class. The main facilities for all of the classes are AC, toilet, power plug, small desk, and TV. For the Executive class, the passenger seats are more comfortable with cozy sofa, adjustable back seat, rotating position, and footrest. The Executive class also provides blanket and pillow for every passenger seat. Food service is available and can be ordered from the seat from the train stewards or the passengers can also go to the dining cart.
The ticket fare for the Business class is around Rp140.000-Rp215.000 per passenger and around Rp230.000-Rp320.000 per passenger for the Executive Class. The ticket price is depending on the sub-class or the seat position, ticket booking time, and the train schedule.
Interesting Information about Lodaya Train
The Origin of the Name
The name “Lodaya” came from two backgrounds. The first one has a tight connection with folklore from Tatar Sunda. The myth was telling about Lodaya Tiger that was believed as Prabu Siliwangi disguise when he was facing his son, Raden Kian Santang. Another version of the name background is because the train stops at two cities Solo and Bandung Raya thus shorten as Lodaya.
The Train History
Lodaya Train initial launch was held on March 11th 1992. At that time, the train was called Padjajaran/Senja Mataram Train and was particularly serving Bandung-Yogyakarta route. On September 1992, the route was then extended to Solo. Since May 2nd 2000, PT KAI refurbished the train and changed its name to Lodaya Train.
The Train Series
Lodaya Train is using CC206 Locomotive to pull the carriages. In the past, the train was using CC201, CC203, and CC204. The train series has one locomotive, one generator train, four executive carriages (one carriage has 50 seats), one dining cart, and four business carriages (one carriage has 64 seats).