JAKARTA, Indonesia: On a significant day marked by progress and modernization, Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway on Monday, set to begin commercial operations, bringing a vital project under China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative to fruition.
This groundbreaking development holds the promise of significantly reducing travel time between two major cities.
The inception of this transformative project, however, was fraught with challenges, including delays and escalating costs, prompting some to question its commercial viability. Nevertheless, President Widodo has remained a staunch advocate for the 142-kilometer (88-mile) railway, which recently received its official operating license from the Transportation Ministry.
Funded primarily by China with an investment of $7.3 billion, the project was spearheaded by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (PT KCIC), a joint venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd. The high-speed railway links Jakarta, the bustling capital, with Bandung, a densely populated city in West Java province. Once operational, it is anticipated to slash travel time between these cities from three hours to a mere 40 minutes, making it an essential contributor to sustainable transportation with reduced carbon emissions.
In his opening address, President Widodo officially christened Indonesia’s inaugural high-speed railway, acclaimed as the fastest in Southeast Asia, with speeds reaching up to 350 kph (217 mph). The moniker “Whoosh” encapsulates its core tenets: “Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal,” translating to “timesaving, optimal operation, reliable system” in the Indonesian language.
“This high-speed train epitomizes the modernization of our mass transportation, prioritizing efficiency and environmental sustainability,” President Widodo emphasized. “Our willingness to embrace innovation fortifies our confidence and presents opportunities for learning, propelling our human resources and nation towards advancement and self-reliance,” he added.
President Widodo, accompanied by eminent officials, embarked on the inaugural ride of “Whoosh,” commencing the journey from Halim station in eastern Jakarta to Bandung’s Padalarang station, one of the railway’s four stations located approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from central Bandung.
Recognizing the potential for technology transfer, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for maritime and investment, announced that China Railway has agreed to impart its expertise to Indonesia. This collaboration aims to enable the domestic production of high-speed trains in the foreseeable future.
Leading up to the grand inauguration, PT KCIC offered a two-week free-of-charge public trial, inviting the populace to experience the innovation firsthand. The railway’s groundbreaking ceremony occurred in 2016, and while initially slated for operation in 2019, the project faced obstacles relating to land acquisition, environmental concerns, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost initially projected at 66.7 trillion rupiah ($4.3 billion) eventually escalated to 113 trillion rupiah ($7.3 billion).
The trains have been customized to suit Indonesia’s tropical climate, incorporating a safety system capable of responding to seismic activities, floods, and other emergencies. The impressive 209-meter (685-foot) train boasts a passenger capacity of 601.
While ticket prices were yet to be finalized as of Monday, PT KCIC estimated one-way prices per passenger, varying from 250,000 rupiah ($16) for second class to 350,000 rupiah ($22.60) for VIP seats.
To reach downtown Bandung, passengers departing from Padalarang station will need to board a feeder train, adding approximately 20 minutes to their journey, with an estimated cost of about 50,000 rupiah ($3.20).
🇮🇩 Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway “Whoosh” on October 2, 2023. pic.twitter.com/TZZwxSaZKN
— 🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🅉 (@apocalypseos) October 2, 2023
The signing of the rail deal in October 2015 marked a pivotal moment, with Indonesia choosing China over Japan in a competitive bidding process. Financing was secured through a 75% loan from the China Development Bank, with the remaining 25% sourced from the consortium’s own funds, underlining the collaborative nature of this monumental endeavour.
