Coordinating Minister For Maritime Affairs Calls Jokowi Soft Launching The October 1 Fast Train

Illustration of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Panjaitan said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) would conduct a soft launching or inauguration of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train on October 1, 2023.

"The train is fast, the President may conduct a sotf launching on October 1," he said, quoted from ANTARA, Wednesday, September 27.

After the'soft launching', said Luhut, the Jakarta Bandung high-speed train called 'Whoosh' can be used by the public.

Regarding the price of fast train tickets, said Luhut, it is also possible that it will be announced on October 1, 2023.

According to Luhut, President Jokowi will provide discounts on ticket prices for high-speed trains in certain periods so that they can be used by the wider community.

"Earlier, it was just discussed how long it will be discounted, it will be gradual. So basically, the President wants all of us to enjoy it at a good price but this is also the way," said Luhut.

President Jokowi on September 13, 2023, tested the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train.

Jokowi conducted a trial of the high-speed train with the starting point of the trip from Halim Station, Jakarta, which ended at Padalarang Station, West Java.

It only took 28 minutes to arrive at the Padalarang station from Halim.

Then, President Jokowi continued his journey to Bandung Station in Bandung City, West Java Province, by using a feeder or feeder train.

The fast train operator PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) has also opened public participation to take part in the trial of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train.

The second phase of the rapid train trial for the community will be carried out on September 25-30, 2023.

In a limited trial, KCIC served four Jakarta-Bandung round-trip (PP) schedules, bringing a total of 8 trips operating every day.

The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train can go up to 350 kilometers per hour so that the Jakarta-Bandung travel time can be trimmed to only about 45 minutes.