Busworld Southeast Asia 2026 became a special moment for PT Hino Motors Sales Indonesia (HMSI) and Karoseri Piala Mas as they held a handover ceremony for the Hino RM 280 ABS bus to Perum DAMRI at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta. On this occasion, DAMRI will introduce a total of 10 new buses using the Hino RM 280 ABS chassis combined with the REXUS 8S body by Piala Mas to support Cross-Border Transportation (ALBN) services, also known as the “3 Countries Trip” (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei). The handover ceremony was conducted directly by Anton Nugroho, GMB Division Head of HMSI, to Arifin, Director of Engineering and Facilities of Perum DAMRI, together with the management team from Karoseri Piala Mas.

The unit handover took place at the Karoseri Piala Mas booth featuring the REXUS 8S body type, designed to deliver comfort, safety, and operational efficiency for transportation services. These buses will be used to strengthen land transportation connectivity in Southeast Asia through the Cross-Border Transportation (ALBN) service on the Pontianak to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam route. This legendary route, often referred to as the “3 Countries Trip” offers a unique travel experience for passengers, where within a single bus journey, DAMRI’s fleet will travel across Indonesia, pass through Malaysia (Kuching), and end in the capital city of Brunei Darussalam.

As a state-owned land transportation company, DAMRI plays an important role in supporting connectivity and mobility for the Indonesian public through various transportation services, including intercity transport, airport shuttle services, and urban transportation across Indonesia. In carrying out its operations, DAMRI requires vehicles that are not only comfortable for passengers but also highly durable and supported by strong after-sales services to maintain fleet reliability.

“The collaboration between DAMRI, Hino, and Karoseri Piala Mas presents a cross-border transportation fleet that not only prioritizes comfort and safety but also represents the quality of Indonesian craftsmanship on the international stage. Through this latest fleet, we aim to provide a safe, comfortable, and memorable travel experience for people traveling between countries in Southeast Asia,” said Arifin, Director of Engineering and Facilities of Perum DAMRI.

The Hino RM 280 ABS bus is widely recognized as one of the preferred bus chassis in the passenger transportation sector due to its powerful engine performance, ABS braking system that enhances safety, and operational efficiency that supports the sustainability of transportation businesses.

Anton Nugroho, GMB Division Head of HMSI, stated, “We would like to express our gratitude for the trust DAMRI has placed in Hino to support public transportation services in Indonesia. Hino will continue striving to provide reliable vehicles along with Total Support through our extensive after-sales network, spare parts availability, and professional technical services to ensure customers’ operations run optimally.”

Through the presence of these latest units, Hino once again reaffirms its role not only as a commercial vehicle manufacturer but also as a strategic partner for transportation operators in supporting the mobility of Indonesian society through vehicles that are safe, comfortable, efficient, and deliver high uptime.