A 'Compartment Suite (Indonesian: Kereta Api Kelas Kompartemen) is a passenger train that is a modification of wide glass executive coaches (K1 08) and airplane glass executive coaches (K1 09) produced by INKA in 2008 and 2009. The modification work was carried out by the Manggarai railway workshop. This compartment suite service is operated on Java Island by Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
The compartment train operates on the Bima and Argo Semeru services on the Gambir-Surabaya Gubeng route since 10 October 2023, and on Argo Bromo Anggrek on the Gambir-Surabaya Pasar Turi route since 1 June 2025. As a result, compartment services are available only on routes connecting Jakarta Gambir with Surabaya Gubeng and Surabaya Pasar Turi.
The service is considered a revival of sleeper train-style travel, following the end of sleeper services on the Bima and the compartment service on Senja Utama Solo in the 1990s. However, despite being called a compartment train, it is technically classified as a corridor coach, as all cabins are connected by a central aisle.
History
Sleeper trains were operated from the Staatsspoorwegen era through the Perumka era for overnight services, including the Java Nacht Expres and later the Bima train during the PNKA and PJKA periods. Over time, these services were gradually discontinued due to financial and social issues, including high ticket prices, high maintenance costs, and reported misuse of on board facilities. Sleeper train services effectively ended in the 1990s with the withdrawal of the sleeping coach service on the Senja Utama Solo trains.
To improve passenger comfort, KAI introduced a seated premium service branded as the "Luxury Sleeper" in 2018. Despite its name, this service is often mistaken for a sleeper train. It is not considered a true sleeper service because the seats recline only up to 150 degrees, meaning passengers remain in a seated position. Two generations of the Luxury class coaches have been produced, all manufactured by INKA in Madiun.[1][2]
As a further development aimed at offering a higher level of interior comfort and privacy, KAI later introduced a corridor compartment train branded as Suite Class. The train was assembled at the Manggarai railway workshop in 2023 using refurbished executive class coaches originally built in 2008. The service, later referred to as the compartment suite, was officially launched on 28 September 2023 to coincide with the 78th anniversary of Kereta Api Indonesia, and entered commercial operation on 10 October 2023 on the Bima and Argo Semeru services between Gambir and Surabaya Gubeng.[3] Began on 1 June 2025, compartment suite trains are also available on the Argo Bromo Anggrek (Gambir–Surabaya Pasar Turi).[4]
Facilities
The compartment train has 16 rooms, each with a single seat, accommodating only one person. The seats can recline 180° to form beds and are equipped with heating and massage devices.
The compartments are connected by aisles and feature electric sliding doors, adjustable lighting, and spacious restrooms. The train also features entertainment facilities in the form of a tablet computer with a limited Android.[5][3][6]
On 17 October 2023, in Kulon Progo, between Wates and Sentolo stations, the Argo Semeru derailed. In the same time from the opposite direction, the Argo Wilis hit the side of the Argo Semeru, injuring 31 people. Also the Compartment Suite interior were serious damage as an incident.[7]
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