Advance booking of train tickets versus local reality.

Officially, Indonesian train tickets are supposed to be available up to 90 days in advance… but it doesn’t always happen.

Currently, Mau Ke Mana can only book tickets for trains departing on/before 31 March 2015. At the time of writing, that is 58 days.

@KAI121 Tamu belum bisa pesan tiket KA untuk bulan April. Kenapa? Bisa pesan kapan? TK

— Chris @ Mau Ke Mana (@maukemanaflight) February 7, 2015

Attempts to ask the train operator why have thus far been unsuccessful.

However, it’s not the first time.

Based on previous experience, here are some possible reasons why tickets are not available up to 90 days in advance like usual:

1. Impending Timetable Change
   This happens about once a year on average, most recently on 1 June 2014.
2. Around Idul Fitri
   Every year, there seems to be “special arrangements” for this peak season when Muslims return to their hometowns. For example, last year paper tickets for trains around Idul Fitri went on sale more than 90 days in advance, with little to no warning. This year, Idul Fitri is 18-19 July 2015.
3. Maintenance or Service Improvements
   For example, the Pantura (north coast) rail line between Jakarta and Surabaya is now a double-track all the way, increasing capacity and reducing travel times. This can have trickle down effects on other trains which need to have their schedules rearranged, to maximise the benefits.
4. Miscellaneous
   No obvious reason. For example, sometimes train tickets at the start of each month go on sale a little less than 90 days before.

What To Do?
Please be patient. If you are annoyed, maybe you can re-tweet the message above.

In addition, Mau Ke Mana stores the enquiries of affected clients, so they can receive quotes as soon as tickets become available.