Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Whoosh Jakarta-Bandung is the first high-speed train in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, with a route spanning 142.3 kilometers, will reduce travel time from Jakarta to Bandung to just about 45 minutes.
In addition, the Whoosh high-speed train also improves public transportation services and offers comfort, speed, safety, and, most importantly, freedom from traffic congestion. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Train Project is one of President Jokowi’s significant projects.
This project collaborates with the Chinese government and is part of the National Strategic Projects (PSN).
“Initially budgeted around Rp85.41 trillion, the cost has ballooned to Rp. 112.5 trillion due to price escalations,” explained PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China in a press release on Monday (26/08).
For your information, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, or KCIC, is a subsidiary of Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia, which operates high-speed rail networks in Indonesia. This company was established in 2015 as a joint venture between Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (PSBI) and a Chinese company.
Despite the high costs, the Indonesian government will extend the project to Surabaya, as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan explained in a press release on the same day.
“The President has instructed us to conduct a study on extending the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Train to Surabaya, passing through Kertajati, Yogyakarta, Solo, and Surabaya,” he said.
However, Luhut did not elaborate on the financing scheme for building the high-speed train from Tegalluar, Bandung, to Surabaya and whether the government will again opt for loans from China or use part of the state budget (APBN).
