Indonesia Marks Historic Moment with Inauguration of First-Ever Bullet Train

Wednesday - October 4 2023, 13:32 UTC - 1 year ago

Indonesia has marked a historic moment in its transportation history with the inauguration of Southeast Asia's first-ever bullet train, connecting Jakarta to Bandung in a remarkable 40-minute journey. The project boasts remarkable technical specifications, operating on electricity with zero direct carbon emissions, designed to withstand Indonesia's tropical climate, and equipped with a safety system to handle emergencies. It also has a positive environmental impact, reducing traffic congestion and contributing to pollution reduction in both cities. The project cost 113 trillion rupiah ($7.3 billion) and received substantial funding from China. There are plans to extend the line to Surabaya in 2024.

Indonesia has marked a historic moment in its transportation history with the inauguration of Southeast Asia's first-ever bullet train, Associated Press announced. The project, known as the "Whoosh" high-speed rail, connects the bustling capital city of Jakarta with Bandung, one of West Java's major hubs, in a remarkable 40-minute journey. This ambitious project, with a total cost of $7.3 billion, is a testament to Indonesia's commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure, albeit with significant involvement from Chinese state-owned firms as part of the Belt and Road initiative .

The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail, managed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (PT KCIC), boasts remarkable technical specifications. Operating at up to 217 miles per hour (350 kilometers per hour), the "Whoosh" has earned the title of Southeast Asia's fastest train system. Covering a distance of 88.4 miles (142.3 kilometers), it operates on electricity with zero direct carbon emissions. This high speed dramatically reduces the travel time between the two cities, shrinking it from a lengthy three hours to an astonishing 40 minutes .

Moreover, the "Whoosh" has been meticulously designed to withstand Indonesia's tropical climate, ensuring optimal performance and passenger comfort. Equipped with a state-of-the-art safety system, the train can respond effectively to emergencies such as earthquakes and floods, guaranteeing passenger safety throughout the journey. One of the most commendable aspects of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project is its positive environmental impact .

Operating on electricity without producing direct carbon emissions, it aligns perfectly with Indonesia's ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. By offering a convenient and efficient alternative to personal vehicles, the project aims to tackle traffic congestion, contributing significantly to environmental protection in both Jakarta and Bandung. President Joko Widodo stressed the importance of transitioning to mass transportation, highlighting the estimated annual economic cost of congestion, which surpasses $6 .

5 billion.The project initially signed in 2015 as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, faced multiple delays due to land acquisition disputes, environmental concerns, and the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with escalating costs which pushed the budget from its initial estimate of 66.7 trillion rupiah ($4.3 billion) to 113 trillion rupiah ($7.3 billion). China's substantial funding through loans from the China Development Bank was pivotal in making this ambitious project a reality .

The successful launch of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail has ignited discussions about expanding the network. Plans to extend the line to Surabaya, a major city in East Java, are already in motion, with the project slated for completion in 2024.