Reactivation of the railway line from Surabaya to Madura: Enhancing regional connectivity and transportation infrastructure

Indonesia is facing severe congestion and high accident rates as motor vehicle growth continues to outpace road capacity, underscoring the urgent need for alternative mass transportation. A promising solution is the reactivation of the Surabaya–Madura railway, an abandoned infrastructure with significant potential to enhance regional connectivity and urban mobility. However, academic studies on railway reactivation remain limited, particularly in the Madura context where dependence on road-based transport persists. This research gap highlights the importance of examining reactivation not only as a transportation alternative but also as a catalyst for regional development. This study adopts a qualitative approach through descriptive surveys to evaluate infrastructure conditions, identify feasible routes, and analyze broader spatial implications. Findings reveal that railway reactivation could strengthen multimodal integration, reduce congestion, and support sustainable growth. This study provides the first empirical evidence of the strategic value of the Surabaya–Madura railway within Indonesia’s transport and regional development discourse.