Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway celebrates success as it marks third anniversary

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia has carried more than 18 million passenger trips since entering commercial service three years ago, highlighting its growing role in improving regional connectivity and supporting economic development.

The railway, known locally as Whoosh, marked its third anniversary on Saturday, having operated 58,666 train services and covered more than 8.9 million kilometers safely, with a punctuality rate of 99.4 percent, according to China Railway International, a subsidiary of China State Railway Group, the national railway operator.

Launched on Oct 17, 2023, the 142.3-kilometer railway is Southeast Asia's first high-speed rail line and a flagship project of cooperation between China and Indonesia under the Belt and Road Initiative.

With a maximum operating speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the railway has shortened travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from more than three hours to just 46 minutes.

As passenger demand has grown, the number of daily train services has increased from 14 at the start of operations to as many as 62, with daily ridership reaching a peak of 26,770.

The railway has also become increasingly popular among international visitors, serving more than 960,000 international passenger trips over the past three years, according to its operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China.

Beyond improving transportation, the railway has helped stimulate tourism, retail and other businesses along the route. A total of 117 businesses now operate at stations along the line, including 29 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises selling local food, beverages and souvenirs.

Chinese and Indonesian railway teams have continued to improve ticketing services, transportation connections and passenger facilities to better meet local needs.

A KCIC survey showed an overall passenger satisfaction rate of 95.79 percent, with satisfaction with train punctuality reaching 98.27 percent.