Imagine catching a train without printing a ticket or scrolling through your phone to find a QR code. With face recognition boarding gates, your face becomes your ticket. This is not just a vision of the future — it is already happening in Indonesia, thanks to PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
Launched in 2022, KAI’s face recognition boarding system is one of the country’s most visible examples of biometric verification in daily life. It shows how digital transformation can simplify routines, improve efficiency, and reduce friction for millions of passengers.
Millions of Passengers Already Onboard
The numbers speak volumes. By August 2025, more than 7.47 million passengers had used face recognition to board trains. This figure already surpasses the total adoption throughout 2024 — in just eight months.
This rapid growth highlights how travelers are quick to embrace innovations that save time and effort. Instead of queuing for tickets or worrying about losing one, passengers experience a seamless journey from check-in to departure.
Beyond Convenience: Sustainable Travel at Scale
Face recognition boarding isn’t only about convenience. It also represents a leap toward eco-friendly transportation.
Within the first eight months of 2025, KAI saved nearly 19,000 rolls of paper tickets, translating to around Rp274 million in cost efficiency. Since 2022, total savings have reached Rp634 million. That’s fewer resources wasted, less ink used, and a significant step toward sustainable travel.
- ✔ Faster and smoother boarding
- Lower operational costs
- Reduced paper and ink waste
- A move toward greener transport systems
Biometric Verification as a Business Lesson
What KAI demonstrates is that digital transformation doesn’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s about using technology to remove unnecessary steps and design experiences that are both practical and responsible.
Biometric verification is more than a buzzword; it’s a tool that improves security, enhances efficiency, and supports sustainability. By adopting it, KAI is showing that innovation can benefit both people and the planet.
The Future of Seamless and Sustainable Innovation
Digitalization in transportation proves that technology is not just about being advanced — it’s about being useful and impactful. KAI’s move is paving the way for a future where travel is easier, greener, and smarter.If Indonesian passengers can already board trains using only their face, then the bigger question remains:
When will your business take the leap into smarter, seamless, and sustainable innovation?
Last modified: September 22, 2025
