The Padang-Railways have a long history in West Sumatra. The Dutch colonial era saw the construction of the Aie Island to Padang Panjang line, inaugurated in 1887. This line was continued to Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh, and several other areas to transport natural products such as coffee beans from forced planting in the interior of West Sumatra, which were exported to Europe.

The Dutch were willing to spend a lot of money to extend the railroad because they saw the potential profits generated from exploring coal in the Ombilin area. They had previously only transported natural products such as coffee beans, but the discovery of coal in the Ombilin area changed everything. The Dutch were ready to invest in the railroad to take advantage of the new opportunity.

In 1981, the Dutch private railroad manager Sumatra Staats Spoorwegen (SSS) built the Bayur-Sawahlunto railway line, marking the beginning of the railway era in West Sumatra.

Previously, in 1945-1946, a railway line was built from Muaro, Sijunjung, to Logas towards Pekan Baru during Japanese colonization. Meanwhile, in 1970, the Indarung-Teluk Bayur railroad was constructed.

The cessation of coal supply in Sawahlunto is a decisive factor in the decline of train travel as a mass transportation option in West Sumatra. The development of other land transportation options has also played a role in this shift.

The train is still the people's preferred mode of transportation, despite the fact that the active line is only 111 kilometers long between Padang and Pariaman. This is shorter than the non-active line, which is 242 kilometers long.

Public Relations, Padang Railway Engineering Center