Indonesia Launches Its First High-Speed Train, Revolutionizing Transportation
In a significant milestone for Indonesia and Southeast Asia, the country has officially launched its first high-speed train. President Joko Widodo inaugurated the train operation on October 2, marking a major step forward in transportation technology for the nation.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) has garnered significant attention and excitement from passengers eagerly awaiting its operation. Among them was Ridho Alfianantha Putra, a 22-year-old medical student from Bandung, West Java province. Ridho expressed his delight, stating that he had been eagerly waiting for the launch of the high-speed train. Drawing from his experience using similar trains in China and Japan, Ridho praised their time efficiency and expressed his intention to regularly utilize the high-speed train for his journeys to and from Bandung.
Dona Rahma Dina, a 27-year-old passenger, also shared her positive experience on the new train. Accompanied by her two-year-old daughter, Dona found the high-speed train to be very comfortable for children. She expressed her intention to choose the high-speed train for her family’s vacations to Bandung, noting its convenience compared to conventional trains or driving by car.
The 142.3 km Jakarta-Bandung HSR is a flagship project that embodies the synergy between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum strategy. The project is operated by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms. The Indonesian Transportation Ministry issued an operating license to KCIC on September 29, enabling the train’s official launch.
Since September 18, the HSR has been open for public test rides, attracting a large number of participants. Passengers have the freedom to choose their seats, with both three- and two-person formation seats available. The journey from Halim Station in Jakarta to Tegalluar Station in Bandung takes just 46 minutes, showcasing the train’s high-speed capabilities.
The test ride has also seen the participation of high-level officials and public figures. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, who joined the free test ride on September 25, emphasized the advantages of the cooperation between ASEAN countries and China. He expressed hope for increased cooperation to benefit the region’s people even further.
President Widodo emphasized that the launch of the HSR marks a modernization of Indonesia’s transportation system. The project presents new technologies, increased speed, advanced construction processes, and innovative payment systems, introducing a new era of transportation for the country.
In addition to these advancements, the HSR is expected to bring numerous benefits to Indonesia. Among these benefits are job opportunities for local communities, according to Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Coordinate Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment.
Looking ahead, the high-speed train is set to be integrated with other public transportation systems in Indonesia, including the Light Rail Transit station, TransJakarta, and Jaklingko. This integration will further enhance the efficiency and accessibility of transportation options for the Southeast Asian nation.
The launch of Indonesia’s first high-speed train represents a major milestone in the country’s transportation sector. As passengers eagerly embrace the time-efficient and technologically advanced mode of travel, it is evident that Indonesia’s transportation landscape has been revolutionized. With further integration and development, the high-speed train is poised to have a transformative impact, providing seamless connectivity for both domestic and international travelers.
