President Jokowi to Inaugurate WHOOSH Fast Train on October 1
- Istimewa
Jakarta – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to inaugurate Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train now known as WHOOSH on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
"The Head of State will probably inaugurate the Jakarta-Bandung fast train on October 1," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
According to Minister Pandjaitan, after the inauguration, the WHOOSH fast train can be used by the public.
Regarding the price of the fast train tickets would likely be announced on October 1, 2023, the Minister informed.
"The President will provide discounts on WHOOSH ticket prices for certain periods to give opportunities for the public to enjoy the train service," the Minister emphasized.
Presiden Joko Widodo atau Jokowi dan unit kereta cepat Jakarta Bandung.
- VIVA/Farhan Faris
Meanwhile, on September 13, 2023, President Widodo took a test ride on the Jakarta-Bandung fast train from Halim Station, Jakarta, to Padalarang Station, West Java, with a travel time of only 28 minutes.
Then, the president continued his journey aboard a feeder train to Bandung Station in Bandung City, West Java Province.
President hopes there will be a shift from the use of private vehicles to public transportation to reduce congestion and air pollution in the Jabodetabek area.
"We hope there will be a shift from the use of private cars to fast train, LRT, MRT, Transjakarta so that congestion on the highway can be reduced, pollution can be reduced in Jabodetabek and Bandung," the President expressed.
Moreover, the fast train operator, Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), has also allowed public participation in the trials of the WHOOSH Fast Train.
The second phase of this fast train trial for the public started on September 25 to September 30, 2023.
In a limited trial, KCIC serves four round trips of Jakarta-Bandung schedules, with a total of eight trips operated every day.
The Jakarta-Bandung fast train can speed up to 350 kilometers per hour and cut the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung by train, from three hours to around 45 minutes.