Argo Bromo Anggrek

Argo Bromo Anggrek is the name of executive and luxury train jointly operated by Kereta Api Indonesia between Surabaya and Jakarta in Indonesia. The train covers 720 kilometres (447 mi) in 7 hours and 45 minutes along Java's north coast, stopping at Semarang Tawang and Cirebon.^[1] It is one of the best known trains in Indonesia.

Argo Bromo Anggrek

Argo Bromo Anggrek with the New Generation executive train speeding to surabaya pasarturi station
Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	Operational
Locale	The 8th Operational Area of Surabaya
Predecessor	Suryajaya (1994-1995) Argo Bromo (1995-2000)
First service	24 September 1997
Current operator(s)	Kereta Api Indonesia
Route
Termini	Surabaya Pasar Turi Gambir
Stops	Bojonegoro, Semarang Tawang, Pekalongan, Cirebon
Distance travelled	720 kilometres (447 mi)
Average journey time	7 hours and 45 minutes
Service frequency	Twice daily
Train number(s)	1-4
Technical
Rolling stock	CC206
Operating speed	90–120 km/h (55–75 mph)
Route map Legend to Jakarta Kota GMR Gambir to Tanah Abang to Bogor to Pasar Senen Special Capital Region of Jakarta West Java Citarum River to Bandung CN Cirebon to Purwokerto via Ketanggungan Cipamali River West Java Central Java to Purwokerto via Slawi Comal River SMT Semarang Tawang planned line to Port of Tanjung Emas to Gundih and Solo Balapan to Gundih and Solo Balapan Solo River Central Java East Java to Indro SBI Surabaya Pasar Turi to Surabaya Gubeng, to Kalimas Notes: This diagram: view talk edit

Etymology

The name Argo Bromo was derived from the volcano Bromo in East Java. The term anggrek (Indonesian: orchid) was added to differentiate the train from its predecessor. The orchid is represented in the purple-white livery of the train.

Service

Its predecessor, the JS950 Argo Bromo, made the Jakarta–Surabaya run in about nine hours and was inaugurated on 31 July 1995 by the President of Indonesia, Suharto, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 17 August (hence the JS950, for "Jakarta–Surabaya in nine hours, launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence"^[2]). The success of the service led to the introduction of Argo Bromo Anggrek service which commenced on 24 September 1997.

The difference between Argo Bromo Anggrek and the original JS950 Argobromo train service is the usage of a set of more sophisticated passenger coach with bolsterless bogies, which are made locally by Indonesian Railway Industry (INKA). Although initially hailed as technological innovation of its day, even nicknamed as "747 on rail" by Tourism Minister Joop Ave, they were later downgraded in later years by having the disc brakes replaced with conventional brake shoes, and automatic doors replaced by manual ones due to poor maintenance, especially during and after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and a derailment at Manggarai station in 2010.

In 2021 schedule, From Gambir station (Jakarta), this train departs at 08.00 and 20.30, and arrives at Pasar Turi station (Surabaya) at 16.42 and 05.12. From Pasar Turi, this train departs at 09.00 and 20.35, arrives at Gambir at 17.44 and 05.19.

Argo Bromo Anggrek trains are composed of eight executive class, and one Luxury class passenger coaches, pulled by GE CM20EMP (previously GE U20C) locomotives. At the time of its first inauguration, the train used a set of special coaches with "K9" bolsterless bogies. Since December 2010, coaches from the Sembrani and other standard executive class trains (K1) substitute the K9 coaches, which in that stage underwent refurbishment and renovation at INKA, Madiun, East Java. Since 2019, Argo Bromo Anggrek uses stainless-steel coaches produced by INKA which has a standardized design as other executive class coaches built in the same period in Indonesia.^[3] Since 29 March 2024, Argo Bromo Anggrek has officially used the "New Generation" executive train which has a 2023/2024 stainless steel body made by PT INKA, with a generator car and restoration car.^[4]

Facilities

Argo Bromo Anggrek dining car (old version)

Interior of Argo Bromo Anggrek (old version)

Argo Bromo Anggrek provides entertainment facilities during the journey in the form of audio-video (Show On Rail). Passengers can also order food and drinks, which can be consumed in either the passenger's coaches or in a dedicated restaurant coach equipped with karaoke facilities. All of this is deliberately designed to give the atmosphere of a hotel.

Timetable

Argo Bromo Anggrek schedule as of 1 February 2025, times are in GMT+7:

Argo Bromo Anggrek Pagi
KA 1 (Surabaya Pasarturi-Gambir)			KA 2 (Gambir-Surabaya Pasarturi)
Station	Arrive	Depart	Station	Arrive	Depart
Surabaya Pasarturi	——	09.10	Gambir	——	08.20
Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng	12.02	12.05	Cirebon	10.43	10.46
Cirebon	14.24	14.27	Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng	13.05	13.08
Gambir	16.55	——	Surabaya Pasarturi	16.05	——

Argo Bromo Anggrek Malam
KA 3 (Surabaya Pasarturi-Gambir)			KA 4 (Gambir-Surabaya Pasarturi)
Station	Arrive	Departed	Station	Arrive	Departed
Surabaya Pasarturi	——	21.15	Gambir	——	20.30
Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng	00.07	00.10	Cirebon	22.53	22.56
Cirebon	02.29	02.32	Semarang Tawang Bank Jateng	01.15	01.18
Gambir	05.00	——	Surabaya Pasarturi	04.15	——

Incidents

• 2005: a dining car caught fire.
• 2009: a power car caught fire at Cikampek. The train continued on to Cirebon without the power car.
• 2 October 2010: at 3:00 am the Argo Bromo Anggrek collided with the Fajar Utama Semarang at Petarukan station. Thirty-three people were killed and 26 injured, and coaches six and nine destroyed.^[5]
• 16 December 2010: four students were hit in Dengok, Padangan, Bojonegoro, East Java. Three were killed.^[6]
• 16 November 2012: the train derailed near Bulakamba station.
• 9 March 2015: the train, pulled by locomotive 13 68, collided with a truck in Weleri, Kendal, Central Java. The driver died after the accident.^[7]
• 30 April 2021: the train hit 2 people at an unguarded illegal crossing in Penaburan Village, Weleri^[8]

See also

• Jakarta–Surabaya line
• List of named passenger trains of Indonesia
• Rail transport in Indonesia
• Argo Semeru Train, same destination but different start and route
• Bima (train), same destination but different start and route
• Sembrani (Train), same destination and route (Pasarturi Station–Gambir Station), but different executive class (satwa class)