"There is no subsidy," Jokowi stated during the high-speed train operational trial in Padalarang, West Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday.
The president remarked that the high-speed train ticket costs will be determined with the right calculations.
Meanwhile, he said, the operation of the high-speed train aims to encourage people to switch to mass transportation from private vehicles.
"(This is) so that traffic jams and pollution can be reduced. That is the goal because we lose Rp100 trillion every year because of the traffic congestion in Greater Jakarta and Bandung," he stated.
When asked about the potential of passengers switching from KA Agro Prahayangan, the Jakarta-Bandung regular train to the high-speed rail, but without subsidies, the president explained that the public should try it out first.
The KCJB train can reach up to 350 kilometers per hour, making the travel time between Jakarta to Padalarang, West Bandung, only 25 minutes.
"The people must feel and try it first, then judge after. Let us experience the 350 km/h train first, which travels from Halim (Jakarta) to Padalarang in only 25 minutes," he stated.
Related news: Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway to become operational on Oct 1
The president remarked that the government will open the free trial of KCJB for the public.
"(This is) so (that) people can try it," he said.
The president, on Wednesday, participated in the fast train operational trial from Halim Station in Jakarta to Bandung.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning Hadi Tjahjanto, President Director of KCIC Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, and Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin accompanied the head of state in the train operational trial.
Some celebrities and influencers, such as Raffi Ahmad, Tsamara, Gading Martin, Cak Lontong, and Yuni Shara, were also invited to take part in the trial.
The soft launch of the high-speed train has been scheduled for October 1, 2023.
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Translator: Indra P, Mentari G, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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