"The president will probably soft launch the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train on October 1," he remarked after attending a limited meeting on the Public Transportation Integration at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday.
Pandjaitan noted that after the soft launch, the high-speed train called "Whoosh" can be used by the public.
In addition, the price of the high-speed train tickets would likely be announced on October 1, 2023, the minister said.
He stated that President Jokowi will provide discounts on Whoosh ticket prices for certain periods to give opportunities for the wider public to enjoy the train service.
"We are still discussing it regarding how big is the discount and for how long. Basically, the president wants all of us to be able to enjoy the train at a reasonable price," Pandjaitan remarked.
On September 13, 2023, President Jokowi took a test ride on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train from Halim Station, Jakarta, to Padalarang Station, West Java, with a travel time of only 28 minutes.
Thereafter, the president continued his journey aboard a feeder train to Bandung Station in Bandung City, West Java Province.
The fast train operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), has also allowed public participation in the trials of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train. The second phase of this fast train trial for the public started on September 25 to September 30, 2023.
In a limited trial, KCIC serves four round trips of Jakarta-Bandung schedules, with a total of eight trips operated every day.
The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train can speed up to 350 kilometers per hour and cut the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung by train, from three hours to around 45 minutes.
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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