Bima (train)

The Bima train () is an executive class train service with sleeper carriages that is operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) in Java with the service running between Gambir Station (GMR) - Surabaya Gubeng Station (SGU) and vice versa. The train covers 820 kilometres (510 mi) in 10 hours 22 minutes. ''Bima'' was initially an acronym for "Biru Malam" (lit. Night Blue).

Uniquely, this train is not through the northern route, but through the southern route, because to increase the occupancy of passengers who take the train route Jakarta-Surabaya through the southern route.

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 opened on 1 June 1967, succeeding ''Bintang Fadjar'' (Dawn Star) and ''Bintang Sendja'' (Twilight Star) trains, which passes station. A few weeks later, Bima train was rerouted via and , and added with East German-made blue sleeper trains. In 1984, PJKA (now KAI) modifies those sleeper cars and replaced it with executive-class carriages from Romania. The sleeper carriages of ''Bima'' train was removed because of occasional gamblings or inappropriate things done inside the lockable compartement. The Romanian built cars was unliked was due to its uncomfortable non-reclinable seats, earning it a reputation as PJKA's worst executive train service.

On 6 February 2014, the route was extended to Malang station, 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.

On 10 October 2023, sleeper carriages on ''Bima'' train were added again and reinaugurated as Compartement Suites Class, which is also available on ''Argo Semeru''.

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.

List of stations

Legend:

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.
* 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.
* 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.
* On 10 November 2015, a woman and her child were killed by ''a Bima'' train on a level-crossing in Kramatjegu Taman, Sidoarjo.

See also

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

References

External links

* {{In lang, id}
KAI official website

Passenger rail transport in Indonesia