SEMARANG, thekabarnews.com—President Prabowo Subianto boarded PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s new Nusantara Explorer luxury train on Thursday, July 30. He traveled for a journey from Semarang to Batang, Central Java.

Prabowo took the train after inaugurating the first phase of the revitalized Semarang Tawang Station. The station is a protected heritage building and one of the most important railway hubs on Java’s northern coast.

The president and a limited delegation traveled west along the northern Java railway corridor toward Batang Regency. There, he was scheduled to attend his next official engagement. Rice fields, residential areas and communities along the railway formed the backdrop to the journey.

The trip gave Prabowo an early look at KAI’s premium sleeper-train concept. The state-owned railway company is developing it to combine transportation with high-end tourism.

KAI designed Nusantara Explorer with three categories of private sleeping cabins: Signature, Advance and Compact.

Signature Class provides the largest private space, while Advance Class combines sleeping comfort with a more efficient cabin layout. The compact class offers a smaller room equipped with resting and storage facilities.

KAI also plans to include a grand restaurant for premium dining. There will be a lounge featuring relaxed seating, entertainment facilities, a bar, audio equipment and a piano.

Its interior combines classic luxury-train elements with Indonesian decorative and cultural influences.

The company said personal service, culinary experiences and panoramic views would form central parts of the passenger experience.

Nusantara Explorer remained under phased development before Prabowo’s journey. KAI conducted static and dynamic tests on two completed cars along the Surabaya Gubeng–Lamongan route in July.

“From a planned 12-car trainset, two cars have completed their interiors and undergone static and dynamic tests,” KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said.

Engineers examined stability, braking, electrical systems and supporting facilities during the tests.

KAI plans to build a complete 12-car formation comprising sleeping cabins, the Grand Restaurant, a lounge and operational-support cars. Workers at the company’s Surabaya Gubeng railway workshop are handling the development and modification work.

KAI had not publicly confirmed regular routes, ticket prices or a full commercial operating schedule when it announced the testing program.

The company said it would complete the required safety, reliability and service preparations before accepting passengers.

Prabowo’s journey linked KAI’s premium tourism project with the restoration of Semarang Tawang Station. The heritage station was built between 1911 and 1914 during the Dutch colonial period.

The first revitalization phase covered its main hall, luxury waiting area, VIP room, corridors and drainage system. KAI aims to improve passenger services while preserving the station’s historic architectural character.

Nusantara Explorer could eventually support Indonesian rail tourism by turning long-distance journeys into travel experiences.

Its wider contribution will depend on KAI’s final routes, fares, operating frequency and public accessibility after the development and certification process.