The Pasoeroean Stoomtram Maatschappij, operating as a tram company, proposed to the Government of the DutchEast Indies the construction of a rail network to solve the transport problems of the sugar mills in the Pasuruan area, which hindered the export of agricultural products. The sugar factories were among others Sf. Kedawung, Sf. Bekasi Oost, Sf. Gayam, Sf. de Goede Hoop, Sf. Pleret, Sf. Wonorejo and Sf. Alkmaar After the necessary negotiations, PsSM received the concession from the Dutch East India Government. Then it began in 1893, as follows, to open a tram rail network:
Based on Government Resolution No. 2 of March 18, 1893:
*Pasuruan - Warung Dowo was inaugurated on May 21, 1896.
*Warung Dowo - Wonorejo was opened on 17 March 1899.
*Bakalan - Alkmaar Market was opened on May 8, 1900.
Based on Government Resolution No. 19 of June 17, 1911:
*Pasuruan - Gembong River was opened on March 27, 1912.
*Warung Dowo - Ngempit was opened on 1 December 1912.
Track construction
Locomotives
For operation, the PsSM 1900 imported five steam locomotives B16 08-12 from the Hohenzollern Locomotive Works, two C22 steam locomotives of the 1894 01-02 series from Cockerill, and one of the 1911 03 series and 1921 a steam locomotive D12 of Hanomag. The Cockerill locomotives were unusual, because they had an inside frame for the first two axles and an outside frame for the third axle. This provided more space for the firebox between the wheels but required very long crank pins on the inside framed wheels of the first two axles. The steam trams facilitated the daily commute for the working people. Therefore, the tram quickly received a good response from the population, which used at that time otherwise traditional means of transport such as horses or carts. Despite the cheap prices, the tram was considered faster than other means of transport this time. The locomotives were used not only for passenger trains, but also for freight trains that transported sugar and other export products to the port.
Closure
Over time, the tram was partially shut down by the PsSM, because it was not able to compete with the increasing road transport due to the aging of rail vehicles and infrastructure. Some sections were closed during the Japanese occupation. In the decade of 1970-1980, the construction of roads was carried out on a large scale along with the increase of road traffic. The decommissioning took place as follows:
Pasuruan Boom was shut down 1943/1944 by the Japanese
Warungdowo - Ngempit was decommissioned in 1943/1944 by the Japanese
Warungdowo - Wonorejo was shut down in 1976
Pasuruan - Winongan was shut down by the Japanese, but later put back into service, because many sugar factories were still in operation. However, on February 1, 1988, this route was finally shut down.
