Tawang Alun Train
Tawang Alun Train was introduced as a mass railway service line for people who want to travel from Banyuwangi to Malang, or vice versa. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) through Operation Area 9 Jember operates Tawang Alun Train with AC Economy class service. The train serves a roundtrip each day, covering the distance of about 309 km. With an average speed of 40-80 km per hour, it takes 7.5 hours for Tawang Alun Train to take passengers from Banyuwangi Baru Station to Malang Kotalama Station (or vice versa).
The train departs from Banyuwangi Baru Station every five o'clock in the morning. The trip takes 7 hours 50 minutes to reach Malang Kotalama Station, thus the train is scheduled to arrive at 12:50. From the opposite direction, the train departs from Malang Kotalama Station in the afternoon, at 15.50. Taking approximately eight hours to reach Banyuwangi Baru Station, the train arrives at the last station almost midnight.
On its way, Tawang Alun Train stops at several stations. Tawang Alun Train traveling to Malang stops at Karangasem Station, Rogojampi Station, Temuguruh Station, Kalisetail Station, Sumberwadung Station, Glenmore Station, Kalibaru Station, Kalisat Station, Jember Station, Rambipuji Station, Tanggul Station, Jatiroto Station, Klakah Station, Probolinggo Station, Rejoso Station, Pasuruan Station, Barngil Station, Lawang Station, Singosari Station, and lastly Malang Station. Traveling from the opposite direction, the train stops at Malang Station, Lawang Station, Bangil Station, Pasuruan Station, Probolinggo Station, Klakah Station, Jatiroto Station, Tanggul Station, Rambipuji Station, Jember Station, Kalisat Station, Kalibaru Station, Glenmore, Sumbewadung Station, Kalisetail Station, Temuguruh Station, Rogojampi Station, and Karangasem Station.
Currently, Tawang Alun Train tickets are available at subsidized rates, i.e., Rp62.000 per passenger. Paying such cheap price, passengers are entitled to enjoy a comfortable ride in a economy class train equipped with AC, LCD TV, toilet, electric plugs, and luggage. Seats are available in a permanent arrangement, facing one another. Dining service is available at additional cost and can be ordered from the dining cart.
Interesting Information about Tawang Alun Train
The History of the train
Tawang Alun Train is a new generation of Rengganis Train that used to travel from Kediri Station –Banyuwangi Baru Station. Rengganis Train operated in the 1990s, and Tawang Alun Train is a new generation introduced in the 2000s. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) dismissed Rengganis Train operation since it was considered an old generation of train and the facilities were no longer sufficient. Besides, the train had had many accidents. Due to the dismissal of Rengganis Train, passengers from Malang who want to reach Banyuwangi (or vice versa) have to take other trains. Starting in 2002, Tawang Alun Train was introduced as a replacement. With better quality, this train is almost always full every day.
The train series
Tawang Alun Train is currently operating with CC201 locomotive belonging to Depot Sidotopo or Depot Jember. The locomotive is capable of carrying six series of cars provided by Banyuwangi Depot. The railroad cars consist of five economy passenger cars and one dining car.
High occupancy all the time
Tawang Alun Train always has full occupancy every day, which emphasizes that the train role as a reliable transport. Besides its cheap fare, passengers rely on this train because the route presents panoramic views along the way.
