Argo Wilis

Argo Wilis train with Hype Trip livery, 2023
Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	Operational
Locale	Operational Area II Bandung
First service	8 November 1988 (1988-11-08) (Bandung-Surabaya) 1 December 2019 (2019-12-01) (Jakarta-Bandung-Surabaya) 10 February 2021 (2021-02-10) (Bandung-Surabaya)
Current operator(s)	Kereta Api Indonesia Operational Area II Bandung
Route
Termini	Bandung Surabaya Gubeng
Stops	Look below
Distance travelled	696 kilometres (432 mi)
Average journey time	9 hours and 53 minutes
Service frequency	2
Train number(s)	5-6
On-board services
Class(es)	Executive and Panoramic
Seating arrangements	Recline-able and rotatable seating in 2-2 configuration
Catering facilities	On-board cafe and trolley service
Technical
Rolling stock	CC206
Track gauge	1,067 mm
Operating speed	70–120 kilometres per hour (43–75 mph)
Route map Legend  B  to Cikampek BD Bandung  B   G  Manuk River  G  to Garut CPD Cipeundeuy TSM Tasikmalaya Citanduy River CI Ciamis BJR Banjar Citanduy River West Java Central Java to Cilacap Serayu River to Purwokerto KYA Kroya Ijo Tunnel KTA Kutoarjo Central Java Special Region of Yogyakarta to Yogyakarta Int'l Airport Progo River YK Yogyakarta Code River Opak River Special Region of Yogyakarta Central Java  BK  to Wonogiri SLO Solo Balapan to AIA, to Semarang Tawang Solo River Central Java East Java MN Madiun KTS Kertosono Brantas River to Malang via Blitar JG Jombang MR Mojokerto Porong River to Sidoarjo to Malang SGU Surabaya Gubeng to Surabaya Kota

Argo Wilis is an executive and panoramic class train operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia between Surabaya and Bandung in Java, Indonesia. The train covers 696 kilometres (432 mi) in 9 hours and 53 minutes with stoppage at Cipeundeuy, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis , Banjar, Kroya, Kutoarjo, Yogyakarta, Solo Balapan, Madiun, Kertosono, Jombang, and Mojokerto. This train runs in the morning from Bandung to Surabaya Gubeng or vice versa, and arrives at the destination at evening/night. In the journey Bandung to Surabaya, passengers can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the eastern part of Parahyangan mountainous region.

Etymology

The word "Argo" (Javanese for "mountain") is a brand name of superior executive train services by KAI, while the word "Wilis" is taken from Mount Wilis, a 2,169 metres (7,116 ft) high mountain with its highest peak in the Bajulan, Nganjuk Regency, East Java.

History

1998-2018

The train service was inaugurated on 8 November 1998 by the Minister of Transportation, Giri Suseno Hardihardjono at Surabaya Gubeng Station and the Governor of West Java, R. Nana Nuriana at Bandung Station.^[1][2] At first, this train operated using a series of trains made by PT. INKA released in 1998 which is equipped with an NT-60 (K8) bogie and there is one optional trip that operates at night. At the beginning of operation until around 2017, this train was often pulled using the CC203 and CC201 locomotives.^[2] At the beginning of its operation, this train also served trips at night with optional status.^[1][2]

Due to low occupancy rate around 2008, this train was once operated as an elective train, and there was even talk of abolishing the Argo Wilis train service.^[2]

In mid-2016, this train began operating with eight or nine executive class trains as the occupancy rate increased which resulted in the CC206 locomotive being used as a towing locomotive to replace the CC203/CC201 locomotive.^[2] Apart from that, priority type executive train services are also added which only run at certain times.

2018-present

As of 8 June 2018, the Argo Wilis train operates using a series of stainless steel executive trains made by PT INKA released in 2018 and 2019 along with dining trains and generating trains.^[3]

On 1 December 2019 Argo Wilis extended to Jakarta (Gambir station) via Cikampek-Padalarang line, and Argo Wilis added stops station at Jatinegara (only from Surabaya), & Cimahi.^[4] However, this train route has been returned to how it was (Bandung–Surabaya Gubeng) since the COVID-19 pandemic and is still valid today.^{[citation needed]}

In September 2021, Argo Wilis shortened travel time and increased speed to 120 km/hour. Also applies to Argo Bromo Anggrek, Argo Lawu, Argo Dwipangga, and Taksaka train.^[5]

As of 1 June 2023, coinciding with the implementation of the 2023 Train Travel Chart (Grafik Perjalanan Kereta Api or Gapeka), the Argo Wilis train will serve stops at Ciamis Station and will also exchange circuits with the Turangga Train .^[6]

Facilities

The train consists of 7-9 executive passenger coach, 1 dining car, and 1 power carriage. The train has capacity for 350-400 passengers.^[3]

The train has received the latest series from INKA since its launch in 1998. However, because some of the 1998 executive freight trains were also allocated to the Argo Dwipangga, some 1995 executive trains owned by KA Argo Gede were often used especially if the train needs a long series. As of June 2018, Argo Wilis used trains that varied between Argo executive trains made in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2002, and other trains, and often exchanged trains with Argo Parahyangan. Since 8 June 2018, Argo Wilis has officially used the latest executive train which has a 2018 stainless steel body made by PT INKA Madiun, complete with a new train and generator train. The train uses CC206 locomotive. Previously used locomotive were CC203, CC201, and CC204. This executive class train uses a 2-2 seat formation which can accommodate 50 passengers per train. The seats in this class are made of leather seats that can be reclined and rotated according to the direction of the train.^[3]

List of stations

Station	Transfer/Notes	Location
		City/Regency	Province
Surabaya Gubeng	Terminal station. Interchange station to commuter rail services. Trans Semanggi Suroboyo:  K2L	Surabaya	East Java
Mojokerto	Interchange station to commuter rail services.	Mojokerto
Jombang	Interchange station to local train services.	Jombang Regency
Kertosono	Interchange station to local train services.	Nganjuk Regency
Madiun		Madiun
Solo Balapan	Yogyakarta Line  AS  Adisumarmo Airport Rail Link Trans Jateng:  1  Batik Solo Trans:  2   4   6	Surakarta	Central Java
Yogyakarta	Yogyakarta Line Prambanan Express YIA Airport Rail Link Trans Jogja: 1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B	Yogyakarta	Special Region of Yogyakarta
Kutoarjo	Prambanan Express	Purworejo Regency	Central Java
Kroya		Cilacap Regency
Banjar		Banjar	West Java
Ciamis		Ciamis Regency
Tasikmalaya		Tasikmalaya
Cipeundeuy	Used for inspections.	Garut Regency
Bandung	Terminal station. Interchange station to  C  Garut and  B  Greater Bandung commuter rails. Trans Metro Pasundan:  2D   3D   4D  Trans Metro Bandung:  K2   K5F   K6F	Bandung

Incidents

• On 4 February 2013, the Argo Wilis train pulled by the CC201 locomotive collided with a Toyota Avanza in Manonjaya, Tasikmalaya, West Java. One person survived, while five people were seriously injured.^[7]
• On 20 December 2013, there was damage to the rail at km 393+8//9 between Maos-Sikampuh. A local resident managed to stop the Argo Wilis train, which was speeding so that it could stop before crossing the tracks.^[8]
• On 17 October 2023, in Sentolo, Kulon Progo, between Wates and Sentolo stations, the Argo Semeru train derailed, and the same time from the opposite direction the Argo Wilis train hit the rear carriage of the Argo Semeru, injuring several people.^[9]

Gallery

• 
  Argo Wilis train departing from Surabaya Gubeng
• 
  Argo Wilis dining car
• 
  Argo Wilis passing through Boharan Station, 2023

See also

• Kereta Api Indonesia
• Rail transport in Indonesia
• List of named passenger trains of Indonesia
• Argo Bromo Anggrek

References

External links

• "Situs Resmi PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero)". Official website of the Indonesian Railways. Retrieved 1 August 2019.