In the first phase of its operation, the high-speed railway is planned to operate only from Halim Station in East Jakarta to Padalarang Station in West Bandung District, although the rail tracks have been developed until Tegalluar Station, southeast of Bandung City.

During a testing session on Thursday (June 22), Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and other officials had the opportunity to experience high-speed travel.

On the occasion, Pandjaitan stated that the high-speed train had achieved a maximum speed of 385 kilometers per hour, thereby reducing the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung to only 30 minutes. He also said that despite the high speed, the train traveled seamlessly.

PT KCIC stated that smooth high-speed travel is the result of fine adjustments made to detect and mend any issues in rail tracks.

Meanwhile, Governor Kamil said that travel from Jakarta to Bandung has become faster than ever through the operation of the high-speed train. He also highlighted that the train is very quiet during its journey.

"It feels like once you finish heeding nature's call, then leaving the toilet, you have arrived at Padalarang," he emphasized.

Making the distance between Bandung and Jakarta "closer than ever", the high-speed railway network is also supported by other public transportation systems, such as Jakarta's Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Greater Bandung commuter railway.

President Jokowi is expected to inaugurate the high-speed railway system on August 18, a day after Indonesia's Independence Day, and after experiencing the travel during a testing session before June 28.

After its operation, the network is expected to make 68 trips daily, and each trip will have a capacity of up to 600 passengers.

The high-speed train will be free of charge for its passengers for the first 90 days, although the tickets will be limited. PT KCIC has not announced the official ticket price that will apply after the 90-day period ends.

Translator: Bagus Ahmad R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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