The new £5.8bn train line that's given huge country its first 217mph bullet train
Indonesia celebrated a historic milestone with the inauguration of its £5.8 billion high-speed bullet train, WHOOSH, connecting Jakarta and Bandung and marking Southeast Asia's first foray into the era of rapid rail travel.
Indonesia proudly unveiled its first-ever bullet train in October, marking a significant leap in the nation's transportation infrastructure.
The £5.8 billion high-speed rail project, part of China's Belt and Road initiative, has been largely financed by Chinese state-owned firms and connects two of Indonesia's largest cities.
The grand inauguration ceremony took place at the Halim railway station in the capital city, Jakarta, on October 1. The event was graced by the presence of President Joko Widodo, First Lady Iriana, and several cabinet ministers. President Widodo expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train is the first high-speed train in Indonesia, and the first in Southeast Asia, with a speed of 350 kilometres per hour (217mph).”
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Despite facing delays and setbacks, the project's completion is a result of collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including the central government, local government, state-owned enterprises, private sectors, and the Chinese government.
Videos shared on social media showcase the train's luxurious and spacious air-conditioned cabins, offering passengers stunning views of the Indonesian countryside as the train reaches a speed of 217 miles per hour.
Officially named WHOOSH, an acronym for "time-saving, optimal operation, reliable system" in Indonesian, the 86-mile (138-kilometre) high-speed rail line connects the Halim railway station in East Jakarta to West Bandung’s Padalarang railway station in West Java. The efficient rail system is set to reduce travel time between the two cities from three hours to less than an hour.
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Operated by the joint state venture PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (PT KCIC), WHOOSH runs on electricity with no direct carbon emissions. The trains are equipped with safety systems capable of responding to emergencies like earthquakes and floods, adapted for Indonesia's tropical climate.
Plans for the future include extending the high-speed line to Surabaya, the capital of East Java Province, and exploring stops at other major cities such as Semarang and Yogyakarta. Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, the director of PT KCIC, revealed these intentions during a ceremony in September.
The railway features eight cars, each equipped with Wi-Fi and USB charging points, providing comfort for its 601 passengers. With three classes of seats – first, second, and VIP – the bullet train aims to offer a diverse and comfortable travel experience.
Initiated in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the train project faced challenges, including delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, land procurement issues, and rising costs.