Fast Trains Play An Important Role As An Economic Catalysator

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Segara Research Institute Piter Abdullah assessed that the RIGHT fast train has great potential as an economic catalyst that supports the growth of new activities and added value.

According to Piter, the fast train service currently serving Jakarta-Bandung has a positive impact that can be seen on the growth of community mobility between Jakarta-Bandung.

The mobility of the people who are driving the economy shows a gradual upward trend.

"The passengers who use theqbsh from time to time are increasing," Piter said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, July 18.

The increase in the number of passengers shows that people are starting to feel the benefits of travel efficiency and convenience, which is an important factor in encouraging the growth of the modern transportation sector.

According to data from China's PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia (KCIC) operator, there was a significant increase in the number of high-speed train passengers during the first half of 2025. By the end of June 2025, a total of 2,936,599 passengers had been served, an increase of about 10 percent compared to the same period the previous year which reached 2,668,894 passengers.

How come every day serves 62 trips with a departure frequency of every 30 minutes

To optimize the potential of economic catalysts, Piter also highlighted the importance of developing an integrated transportation ecosystem between high-speed trains and local transportation modes as well as regional economic centers.

"Integrating all ecosystems that can be utilized will maximize the existence of fast trains," he explained.

Menurutnya, kereta cepat bisa menjadi pemicu lahirnya kegiatan ekonomi baru.

Karena itu, ia mendukung perluasan jalur kereta cepat agar manfaat ekonomi dapat lebih luas bergulir dari pusat-pusat pertumbuhan ekonomi baru.

"Sehingga dengan adanya kereta whoosh itu, maka kemudian banyak kegiatan-kegiatan ekonomi baru yang bisa terjadi," kata dia.

Piter menekankan proyek kereta cepat Jakarta-Bandung menjadi langkah awal yang penting dalam pengembangan transportasi berbasis rel di Pulau Jawa.

"Diharapkan dapat memberikan dampak positif bagi perekonomian regional," kata dia.

According to him, high-speed trains can trigger the birth of new economic activities.

Therefore, he supports the expansion of the fast train line so that economic benefits can be wider from new economic growth centers.

"So with the train, then a lot of new economic activities can occur," he said.

Piter emphasized that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project is an important first step in rail-based transportation development on the island of Java.

"It is hoped that it can have a positive impact on the regional economy," he said.